US20080141316A1 - Automatic Adjustment of Devices in a Home Entertainment System - Google Patents

Automatic Adjustment of Devices in a Home Entertainment System Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20080141316A1
US20080141316A1 US11/930,457 US93045707A US2008141316A1 US 20080141316 A1 US20080141316 A1 US 20080141316A1 US 93045707 A US93045707 A US 93045707A US 2008141316 A1 US2008141316 A1 US 2008141316A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
user
home entertainment
wheh
devices
wireless
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US11/930,457
Other versions
US8307388B2 (en
Inventor
Patrick T. Igoe
Leonid Kravets
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rateze Remote Mgmt LLC
Original Assignee
Technology Patents and Licensing Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/470,862 external-priority patent/US8935733B2/en
Priority to US11/930,457 priority Critical patent/US8307388B2/en
Application filed by Technology Patents and Licensing Inc filed Critical Technology Patents and Licensing Inc
Assigned to TECHNOLOGY, PATENTS & LICENSING, INC. reassignment TECHNOLOGY, PATENTS & LICENSING, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: IGOE, PATRICK T., KRAVETS, LEONID
Assigned to PORTO VINCI LTD. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY reassignment PORTO VINCI LTD. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TECHNOLOGY, PATENTS & LICENSING, INC.
Publication of US20080141316A1 publication Critical patent/US20080141316A1/en
Priority to US13/624,134 priority patent/US8713591B2/en
Publication of US8307388B2 publication Critical patent/US8307388B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Priority to US14/211,691 priority patent/US9172996B2/en
Assigned to RATEZE REMOTE MGMT LLC reassignment RATEZE REMOTE MGMT LLC MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PORTO VINCI LTD. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Active legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2807Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network
    • H04L12/2809Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/44Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
    • H04N21/4408Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving video stream encryption, e.g. re-encrypting a decrypted video stream for redistribution in a home network
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/017Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures
    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08CTRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C19/00Electric signal transmission systems
    • G08C19/16Electric signal transmission systems in which transmission is by pulses
    • GPHYSICS
    • G10MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10LSPEECH ANALYSIS OR SYNTHESIS; SPEECH RECOGNITION; SPEECH OR VOICE PROCESSING; SPEECH OR AUDIO CODING OR DECODING
    • G10L15/00Speech recognition
    • G10L15/22Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2807Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network
    • H04L12/2814Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4112Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4122Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices additional display device, e.g. video projector
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/414Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/414Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
    • H04N21/4147PVR [Personal Video Recorder]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42222Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42224Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/4302Content synchronisation processes, e.g. decoder synchronisation
    • H04N21/4307Synchronising the rendering of multiple content streams or additional data on devices, e.g. synchronisation of audio on a mobile phone with the video output on the TV screen
    • H04N21/43076Synchronising the rendering of multiple content streams or additional data on devices, e.g. synchronisation of audio on a mobile phone with the video output on the TV screen of the same content streams on multiple devices, e.g. when family members are watching the same movie on different devices
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/434Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/436Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
    • H04N21/43615Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/436Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
    • H04N21/4363Adapting the video or multiplex stream to a specific local network, e.g. a IEEE 1394 or Bluetooth® network
    • H04N21/43637Adapting the video or multiplex stream to a specific local network, e.g. a IEEE 1394 or Bluetooth® network involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/44Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
    • H04N21/44016Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for substituting a video clip
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/44Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
    • H04N21/4402Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display
    • H04N21/440209Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display for formatting on an optical medium, e.g. DVD
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/44Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
    • H04N21/4402Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display
    • H04N21/44029Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display for generating different versions
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/442Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk
    • H04N21/44227Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/4508Management of client data or end-user data
    • H04N21/4532Management of client data or end-user data involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47End-user applications
    • H04N21/482End-user interface for program selection
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47End-user applications
    • H04N21/485End-user interface for client configuration
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/812Monomedia components thereof involving advertisement data
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76Television signal recording
    • H04N5/765Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04SSTEREOPHONIC SYSTEMS 
    • H04S7/00Indicating arrangements; Control arrangements, e.g. balance control
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00Network data management
    • H04W8/18Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00Network topologies
    • H04W84/18Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803Home automation networks
    • H04L2012/284Home automation networks characterised by the type of medium used
    • H04L2012/2841Wireless
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4108Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices characterised by an identification number or address, e.g. local network address
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/414Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
    • H04N21/41415Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/06Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W48/00Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
    • H04W48/08Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W52/00Power management, e.g. TPC [Transmission Power Control], power saving or power classes
    • H04W52/02Power saving arrangements
    • H04W52/0209Power saving arrangements in terminal devices
    • H04W52/0251Power saving arrangements in terminal devices using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
    • H04W52/0254Power saving arrangements in terminal devices using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W52/00Power management, e.g. TPC [Transmission Power Control], power saving or power classes
    • H04W52/02Power saving arrangements
    • H04W52/0209Power saving arrangements in terminal devices
    • H04W52/0261Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
    • H04W52/0267Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level by controlling user interface components
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W60/00Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00Network data management
    • H04W8/005Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00Network data management
    • H04W8/26Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00Network topologies
    • H04W84/02Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
    • H04W84/10Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02DCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
    • Y02D30/00Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
    • Y02D30/70Reducing energy consumption in communication networks in wireless communication networks

Definitions

  • FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a home entertainment system according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a use-case diagram of a wireless home entertainment hub in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of user-initiated automatic registration in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of manual device registration in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of source activation in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of direct source to sink transmission of data within the home entertainment system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of transmission of data directed by the wireless home entertainment hub within the home entertainment system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of operation of a remote control in accordance with the wireless home entertainment system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 9 is a system diagram of an audio/visual receiver used to connect speakers to the wireless home entertainment hub of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 10 is a system diagram of a wireless network interface box used to connect non-wireless enabled devices to the wireless home entertainment hub of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 11 is a system diagram of a multiple display device configuration in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 12 is a system diagram of an implementation of using multiple display devices for a wide-angle display in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 13 illustrates a series of exemplary user interface display device screens for registering devices in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 14 illustrates a series of exemplary user interface display device screens for registering speakers in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 15 illustrates a series of exemplary user interface display device screens for showing missing devices in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1 .
  • UML Unified Modeling Language
  • UML diagrams including, but not limited to, use case diagrams, class diagrams and activity diagrams, are meant to serve as an aid in describing the embodiments of the present invention, but do not constrain implementation thereof to any particular hardware or software embodiments.
  • the notation used with respect to the UML diagrams contained herein is consistent with the UML 2.0 specification or variants thereof and is understood by those skilled in the art.
  • FIG. 1 An exemplary home entertainment system (HES) 100 including wirelessly connected devices in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 . Interactions between the various wireless devices in the HES 100 and a user 120 are coordinated by a wireless home entertainment hub (WHEH) 102 . It is understood by those skilled in the art that a wireless device in the HES 100 may contain an external wire for the purpose of supplying power to the wireless device.
  • WHEH wireless home entertainment hub
  • Source devices in the HES 100 can broadly be classified into two categories: source devices 122 and sink devices 124 .
  • Source devices 122 transmit data within the HES 100 .
  • Source devices 122 include, but are not limited to, DVD players 104 , digital video recorders (DVR) (not shown), set-top boxes (STB) 106 (e.g., cable or satellite channel tuners), gaming consoles 108 (e.g. Xbox®, PlayStation®), CD players or other audio playback devices (e.g., MP3 player) (not shown).
  • DVR digital video recorders
  • STB set-top boxes
  • gaming consoles 108 e.g. Xbox®, PlayStation®
  • CD players or other audio playback devices e.g., MP3 player
  • sink devices 124 receive the transmitted data within the HES 100 , sometimes converting a signal into an audible or visible stimulus.
  • Sink devices 124 include, but are not limited to, speakers 110 , audio/visual receivers (AVR) 145 (see FIG. 9 ), and display devices 112 such as an HDTV or other television, monitor, or display screen or mechanism.
  • AVR audio/visual receivers
  • a PC 114 can act as a source device 122 and/or a sink device 124 within the HES 100 .
  • the PC 114 can act ad an audio and/or a video source transmitting data from, for example, a CD, DVD, stored music and video media, or data accessed from the Internet.
  • the PC 114 can also act as a sink device 124 displaying video and audio data from, for example, the DVD player 104 or STB 106 .
  • the HES 100 may also utilize a remote control 118 and a calibration device 116 , discussed in greater detail below.
  • the WHEH 102 facilitates the transfer of data between the source and sink devices in the HES 100 , as well as coordinates the interaction between the user 120 and the source and sink devices 122 , 124 .
  • the WHEH 102 may perform a register devices use-case, change source use-case, direct audio and video signal use-case, program remote use-case, control volume use-case, and calibrate system use-case, which are described in more detail below.
  • the WHEH 102 controls the flow of data, information and other “traffic” by recognizing the devices within the HES 100 , tracking their current status (e.g., active, standby, etc.), directing the transfer of data between devices, etc.
  • the WHEH 102 provides a central controller for the HES 100 that allows a user 120 to operate the HES 100 in an efficient manner through interaction with the WHEH 102 , which then subsequently provides instructions to the other devices in the HES 100 to perform the function requested by the user 120 .
  • Such interactions with the WHEH 102 by the user may be performed through with a visual user interface presented on the screen of the display device 112 .
  • the remote control 118 may include a display screen, such as an LCD, to present the user with a visual interface to the WHEH 102 .
  • the WHEH 102 includes one or more wireless transceiver units to facilitate the wireless transfer of data between the source and sink devices 122 , 124 using wireless communication standards described below, a memory for storing data and other information generally used in the operation of the HES 100 , and a processor for executing the instruction sets for the functions of performed by the WHEH 102 , including the use-cases listed above.
  • the WHEH 102 may exist as a standalone unit or it may be integrated into another device. For example, the WHEH may be included in the display device 112 or the remote control 118 .
  • the WHEH 102 can act as a source device 122 and/or a sink device 124 in the HES 100 .
  • the WHEH 102 may receive data (i.e., acts as a sink unit) from a source unit currently transmitting data in the HES 100 , and process and transmit that data (i.e., acts as a source unit) to other sink devices in the HES 100 for presentation to a user 120 .
  • data i.e., acts as a sink unit
  • process and transmit that data i.e., acts as a source unit
  • Ultra-wide band technology utilizing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or a direct sequence communication system may be used for the wireless communication between the WHEH 102 and the source and sink devices 122 , 124 in the HES 100 .
  • OFDM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
  • a number of other wireless commutation standards including Bluetooth and various WiFi standards, can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of multiple embodiments of the present invention for transfer of data between devices within the HES 100 .
  • more than one wireless standard may be utilized within the HES 100 to facilitate data transfer between the devices.
  • the WHEH 102 and source and sink devices 122 , 124 may each contain a UWB transceiver for transfer of audio and/or video data and a WiFi transceiver for transferring operation instructions.
  • audio and video devices in the HES 100 can be registered with the WHEH 102 .
  • the registration creates a unique association between devices and the WHEH 102 such that registered devices belonging to the HES 100 are controlled by WHEH 102 , and cannot simultaneously be registered with a different home entertainment system or another wireless home entertainment hub operating in a nearby proximity, such as in a neighboring apartment or household.
  • the WHEH 102 sends a request for any unregistered device to respond.
  • the WHEH 102 request may include a unique identifier for the WHEH 102 , such as an WHEH ID number.
  • a device response includes a unique device identifier, such as a device ID number.
  • a list of responding devices 160 is presented to the user 120 , and the user 120 selects the device that is to be registered with WHEH 102 .
  • the WHEH 102 sends a registration instruction to the selected device and the registration is stored on both the device and the WHEH 102 . Once a registration has been established 162 , the device is removed from the list 164 , and the registration process is repeated for the remaining unregistered devices within the HES 100 that have responded to the WHEH 102 .
  • the registration procedure is accomplished automatically between the WHEH 102 and unregistered devices.
  • the WHEH 102 may periodically broadcast a request for any unregistered devices to report.
  • an unregistered device can respond with a list of its capabilities so that the WHEH 102 can determine the functionality of the device (i.e., if it is a DVD player, DVR, STB, etc.) before sending a registration instruction.
  • the unregistered device can respond with its make and model number from which the WHEH 102 can determine the functionality of the device using an internal database of devices and also obtain any necessary command codes for the device,
  • the user 120 may initiate the broadcast for unregistered sources instead of having the WHEH 102 perform a periodic broadcast for unregistered sources. For example, when a user 120 adds a new component or device to the HES 100 , a request to find unregistered sources may be initiated, such that once the request is initiated, the remaining registration procedure proceeds automatically as discussed above.
  • the WHEH 102 may automatically recognize and register all devices in the HES 100 .
  • a user 120 may purchase a set of coordinated devices for wireless HES 100 including, for example, a display, set of multi-channel speakers, a DVD player 104 , and a WHEH 102 (which may be a discreet device or contained in one of the system devices, such as the display or remote control).
  • Each of these coordinated devices may contain a coordinated ID that is recognizable by the WHEH 102 .
  • the speakers may be labeled with their intended position within the HES 100 (e.g., front left, middle right) to aid the user 120 in their correct placement.
  • the WHEH 102 Upon placement and power-up, without any additional actions by the user 120 , the WHEH 102 automatically registers the coordinated devices based on their coordinated ID's that have been set by the device manufacturer.
  • the wireless HES 100 may perform an error checking during the registration of the source and sink devices to make sure that the device being registered matches the type of device being requested for registration.
  • the WHEH 102 can compare the list of capabilities received from the device during the registration with a list of expected capabilities stored in the WHEH 102 . If the capabilities in the device reply match the expected capabilities of the WHEH 102 , an indication of the registration is stored in the WHEH 102 and the device. If the capabilities and expected capabilities do not match, the registration is not stored and may be re-initiated.
  • the registration may also be performed manually by the user 120 (see FIG. 4 ).
  • the user 120 initiates a registration procedure by pressing a registration actuator on the WHEH 102 .
  • actuators include buttons, touch pads, touch screens, or any other actuating assembly recognized by those skilled in the art.
  • the user 120 presses a registration actuator on a selected source unit which sends a signal to the WHEH 102 that a registration should be stored with this unit. If the WHEH 102 is unable to determine the functionality of the source (e.g., DVR, DVD, etc), the user 120 may manually assign the functionality of the source to complete the registration.
  • the WHEH 102 may cause “DVD registered” to be displayed if the selected source is recognized as a DVD player 104 by the WHEH 102 . If the selected source is not recognized, the WHEH 102 may prompt the user 120 to select the type of source device from a list. Thus, in this case, the user 120 may select “DVD” in order to complete the registration. This process is repeated until all the unregistered sources have been registered with the WHEH 102 , or similarly if a new source is added into an existing system. In other embodiments, the user 120 may initiate registration from a source device 122 , a sink device 124 , a remote control 118 , or over a network.
  • each device's specific role For devices types where multiple instances of the device exist within the system 100 (e.g., speakers 110 ), a number of approaches can be used to identify each device's specific role.
  • the role of each speaker can be pre-identified by the manufacturer (e.g., “front-right”, “subwoofer”, etc.).
  • the user-initiated automatic registration procedure described above could be used to register the speakers 110 with the WHEH 102 since the speaker 110 could identify itself, for example, as the front left speaker, during the registration process.
  • each speaker 110 could have a physical input that the user 120 could set to indicate the speaker's role (e.g. “front-left”, “back-right-surround”).
  • the WHEH 102 could use one or more microphones within the HES 100 to elicit position and frequency response information, or the HES 100 could use other position detection technologies understood by those skilled in the art.
  • each speaker 110 could have a registration actuator to be activated in response to a WHEH 102 prompt for a speaker playing a specific role.
  • the WHEH 102 could prompt the user 120 for the front-left speaker and the user 120 could activate the registration actuator.
  • the user 120 may initiate the registration procedure by activating a registration actuator on the WHEH 102 .
  • the user 120 presses a registration actuator on a speaker 110 and identifies the functionality of that speaker 110 within the audio system 100 . For example, at the time of registration, the user 120 identifies the selected speaker as the left front, the repeats for right front, continuing until all the speakers 110 have been identified and registered.
  • the WHEH 102 may prompt the user 120 with a list or graphic display of speaker positions available as shown in FIG. 14 .
  • the user 120 first selects the speaker 110 to be registered and then presses the registration actuator on the selected speaker.
  • the WHEH 102 may first prompt the user 120 to enter the number of speakers to be registered with the WHEH 102 and then select the appropriate speaker configuration to match. For example, if only four speakers 110 are selected, the WHEH 102 would not present the user 120 with a Dolby® Digital 7.1 speaker configuration, but a four speaker list of left and right front, and left and right rear.
  • the WHEH 102 may compare the list of source devices 122 and sink devices 124 registered with the WHEH 102 to a list of possible types of source devices 122 and sink devices 124 that can be registered with the WHEH 102 .
  • the WHEH 102 may present to the user 120 a list of device types that are missing from the HES 100 .
  • the user 120 can indicate whether one or more of the listed device types are present in the HES 100 , indicative of an error in the registration procedure. These devices can then be registered with the WHEH 102 using any appropriate method described above.
  • the WHEH 102 determines that a gaming console 108 , a DVR, and a subwoofer are missing device types within the HES 100 .
  • a list of these missing device types is displayed on the HDTV.
  • the user 120 inputs that the subwoofer is present in the HES 100 .
  • the user 120 is presented with a list of gaming console 108 and DVR as the missing device types.
  • the WHEH 102 may present the user with a list of devices missing in the HES 100 based on requirements to fully support playback of program content.
  • the WHEH 102 may display an indication to the user 120 that a rear left, rear right, center channel and subwoofer may be added to the HES 100 to enhance the audio experience of the user 120 .
  • the WHEH 102 may then cause advertisements for the missing devices to be displayed to the user 120 on the display device 112 .
  • the advertisements may be generic advertisements for the missing device type or may be sponsored advertisements for a specific brand of the missing device. Advertisements may be stored on the WHEH 102 or received from programming channels accessible using the STB 106 . Alternately, the advertisements may be retrieved from a computer network (e.g. the Internet) through a direct connection of the WHEH 102 to the computer network or via a PC 114 connected to the computer network and registered with the WHEH 102 . For example, the WHEH 102 determines that no DVR is registered with the WHEH 102 .
  • a computer network e.g. the Internet
  • the WHEH 102 transmits an advertisement for a DVR stored in the WHEH 102 to the display device 112 for presentation to the user 120 just after the user 120 has initiated the entertainment session and before displaying the requested programming.
  • the WHEH 102 may insert advertisements into the programming by replacing an advertisement from the programming stream with an advertisement for the missing device or device type. For example, if a gaming console 108 is determined to be missing, the WHEH 102 may detect an advertisement for a gaming console 108 on a programming channel received on the STB 106 .
  • the WHEH 102 stores the advertisement for the gaming console 108 and replaces advertisements in the regular programming stream with the stored advertisement for a gaming console 108 .
  • the presentation of the advertisement may be repeated for a predetermined length of time (e.g. for 4 weeks) or until the missing device is registered with the WHEH 102 .
  • the insertion of advertisements for missing devices or device types may also be limited to a range of dates and/or times. For example, advertisements for gaming consoles 108 may be presented to the user 120 from the middle of November until the end of December to correspond to a holiday shopping season. Alternately, the insertion of the advertisements may be based on an identification of the user by the WHEH 102 .
  • the WHEH 102 in addition to coordinating the registration of device within the HES 100 as described above, the WHEH 102 is also used to coordinate and/or control the state of the source and sink devices and the transfer of data from the source devices to sink devices during typical operation of the HES 100 .
  • Device states also referred to as modes
  • Device states may include “on”, “off”, “active”, “low power”, “standby”, etc.
  • Data may include instructions, audio/video programming, or any other information generally passed between or among source/sink devices.
  • Some examples of typical operations that are common in the general utilization of the HES 100 by the user 120 are a request or action by the user 120 to activate a source (e.g., start watching programming from a cable broadcast) or initiate a change from one source device to another (e.g., discontinue watching programming from a cable broadcast to watching a movie on the DVD player).
  • the request to activate a source device or to change from one source device to another can be accomplished in a several ways.
  • the user may initiate the action though the use of the remote control 118 , or interact directly with a source device.
  • the WHEH 102 when a user inserts a DVD into the DVD player 104 , it automatically causes the WHEH 102 to activate the DVD player 104 (or initiate a source change as described below if another source is already active in the HES 100 ). In either case, once the request has been made by the user 120 , the WHEH 102 completes the process as described below.
  • FIG. 5 is sequence diagram showing the selection of a source device 122 by the WHEH 102 in one embodiment of the HES 100 .
  • a source device When a source device is activated, it begins transmitting data to the HES 100 .
  • the instruction to activate also causes an internal reference count within the source device to increment by one, where the reference count represents the current number of zones (described in more detail below) that are receiving data from the source device For example, if the source device, currently in standby mode, is activated, its reference count increases to one.
  • the WHEH 102 instructs the current active source device to decrement its internal reference count by one.
  • the source device may stop transmitting and enter a low power or stand-by mode. If the internal reference count is not zero, the source device continues to transmit since there are other devices still listening to its transmission.
  • the WHEH 102 then instructs the newly selected source unit to activate, including increasing its internal reference count by one, and the newly selected source device begins transmitting data to the HES 100 .
  • the sink devices may receive the transmitted data directly from the current active source or from the WHEH 100 , both described below.
  • a list of the sink devices 124 in one or more zones of the HES 100 that are listening for data from the source device 122 is stored in the source device 122 . Sink devices 124 are added or removed from the list as directed by the WHEH 102 . When there are no sink devices on the list, the source device may stop transmitting and enter a low power or stand-by mode.
  • the WHEH 102 broadcasts to all sink units, or those that are relevant, an instruction to discontinue receiving and transmitting data from the previously active source and begin receiving the transmitted data from the newly selected source, where the activities in FIG. 6 .
  • labeled “transmitVideo( )” and “transmitAudio( )” represent a continuous stream of data from the source device 122 to the sink devices 124 .
  • This instruction from the WHEH 102 may be broadcast as a single instruction to all units (i.e., a common instruction recognizable by any device in the HES 100 ) or may be a distinct instruction sent to each of the sink units.
  • Audio and/or video data from the current active source device is transmitted directly to the relevant sink devices as instructed by the WHEH 102 .
  • the display device 112 and speaker 110 receive and present the video data and audio data, respectively, from the current active source device.
  • the newly selected source device that has been activated in the HES 100 may transmit one or more instructions directly to the sink units to begin receiving and presenting the data from the newly selected source and discontinue presenting the data from the previously active source.
  • the sink units in the HES 100 receive data from the wireless home entertainment hub (see FIG. 7 ).
  • the WHEH 102 receives the audio and video data from the current active source device and transmits the audio and video data to the appropriate sink unit. If a source change is initiated within the HES 100 as described above, the sink units may be unaware of a change of source with the HES 100 since they always listen to (i.e., receive data from) the WHEH 102 , and not directly to the active source device.
  • more than one source can be designed as an active source by the WHEH 102 .
  • Data from multiple active sources can be simultaneously presented by the relevant sink devices as described by the two methods above.
  • the WHEH 102 receives the data from the two or more active source devices and transmits the data to the relevant sink devices.
  • the WHEH 102 may process (e.g., mix) the data from the two or more source devices before transmitting. Alternately, the WHEH 102 may instruct the sink devices to listen to and present data transmitted directly from the two or more active sink devices.
  • a remote control 118 is used with the HES 100 .
  • the remote control 118 receives actuator assignments based on the currently active source in the HES 100 from the WHEH 102 . For example, if the DVD player 104 is currently the active source, the actuator assignment on the remote control 118 is for the DVD player 104 .
  • the actuator selection is sent directly to the DVD player 104 , which responds with the corresponding activity for that actuator. If the user 120 initiates a source change through the WHEH 102 as described above, (e.g.
  • the WHEH 102 sends a new actuator assignment to the remote control 118 for the set-top tuner.
  • Actuators activated on the remote control 118 by a user 120 now cause an activity in the set-top box instead of the DVD player 104 .
  • This method of operation of the remote control 118 is referred to a “dumb” remote.
  • the functionality of the actuators on the remote control is controlled by the WHEH 102 based on the current active source in the HES 100 .
  • the remote does not need to store any information about past or present states of the HES 100 or registration information between the devices in the HES 100 .
  • a “smart” remote may be used in conjunction with the HES 100 .
  • the smart remote learns and stores the system configuration, i.e., what source and sink devices are registered with the WHEH 102 . It also learns and stores the current state of the system, i.e., what sources and sinks are active.
  • the smart remote stores the actuator assignments in an internal memory and may store system status information along with device registration information.
  • the WHEH 102 activates the new source as describe above, and the functionality of the remote control 118 is switched to controlling the newly active source without any input from the WHEH 102 to re-assign the actuators as described in the dumb remote case above.
  • the WHEH 102 may be contained in the smart remote instead of the display device 112 .
  • a handheld mobile device such as cellular phone or personal digital assistant, can use appropriate wireless capabilities to communicate with a WHEH 102 , obtain information to build and present a user interface, and serve as a remote control 118 for the HES 100 .
  • the capabilities of the HES 100 may be used to enhance the functionality of the handheld mobile device. For example, when a cellular phone is active the remote control 118 , the active display device 112 may display CallerID information or other information generally presented on the cellular phone display to the user 120 during an incoming telephone call.
  • the WHEH 102 may respond to voice commands.
  • a user 120 can perform some or all of the functionality of the remote control 118 by using simple audible commands. For example, to change the STB to channel 21 , the user 120 might say “Channel 21 ” and the WHEH 102 sends the corresponding instruction to the STB to complete the channel change, or use the command “Volume Up” increase the system volume, where the WHEH 102 send instructions to the active sink unit to increase volume.
  • the WHEH 102 may respond to physical gestures made by the user 120 with the remote control 118 .
  • a user can provide instructions to the WHEH 102 corresponding to a predetermined set of physical motions of the remote.
  • the remote control 118 may include a motion sensing system that can relay motion information in up to 3-dimensions to the WHEH 102 .
  • the WHEH 102 or remote control 118 may include directional sensors to determine the orientation of the remote control relative to the HES 100 or sense rotation. Such motion sensing systems and directional sensors are understood by those skilled in the art.
  • a user wishing to switch from watching the DVD player to the STB 106 may simply point the remote at the STB 106 , actuating an actuator on the remote control 118 to select a programming channel.
  • channel selection may be accomplished by a quick series of left or right motions of the remote control, each left or right motion decrementing or incrementing, respectively, the channel displayed by the STB 106 .
  • Volume control may be accomplished, for example, by a vertical motion of the remote control 118 directed at the display device 112 or speakers 110 . In this manner, the volume of each speaker can be adjusted independently of the other speakers.
  • gestures may be used to move presentation of video content from one display device to another, engage picture-in-picture functionality, or perform other manipulations.
  • a user 120 may direct a power-on message to the WHEH 102 , via a remote control 118 or perhaps via an actuator on the WHEH 102 or device containing WHEH 102 functionality.
  • the WHEH 102 can then retrieve input from the user 120 regarding the capabilities required for the session and send activation messages to appropriate devices.
  • a source device 122 can send a broadcast message to the sink devices 124 in the home entertainment network indicating required presentation capabilities.
  • Required devices can activate themselves and unneeded devices can enter a low-power state. For example, all devices in the system are in a lower power mode.
  • the user inserts a DVD into the DVD player 104 which causes the DVD to become active.
  • the WHEH 102 detects the activity of the DVD player 104 and instructs the display device 112 and speakers 110 to activate. Alternately, the display device 112 and speakers detect the activity of the DVD player 104 directly and activate.
  • the WHEH 102 upon indication from the active source device of the required audio output channels, the WHEH 102 sends signals to the audio sink devices to indicate whether or not they should remain active. For instance, upon indication of a Dolby® Digital 2.1 program, the WHEH 102 may communicate to the side and rear speakers that they may enter a low power mode. Similarly, when an audio-only program is indicated, for example from the CD player, the WHEH 102 can communicate to the video display device 112 that it may enter a low power non-display state.
  • Devices in the HES 100 may contain low-powered radios (i.e., transceivers) that poll for activity or constantly monitor for WHEH 102 messages during a low-power device state.
  • Wireless radios conforming to the “ZigBee” standards can be used in some embodiments.
  • “Bluetooth” or “WiFi” radios can be used in other embodiments.
  • Modes of “UWB” can also be used to detect communications during low-power operations.
  • Volume control can be accomplished in multiple ways.
  • all active audio sink devices may individually detect that the remote control 118 has transmitted an instruction to change the volume.
  • the eight speakers of a 7.1 surround sound system each detect a “volume up” instruction transmitted from the remote control 118 . Each speaker then increases the gain on its internal amplifier, thereby driving the speaker to higher volume.
  • the WHEH 102 can detect an instruction from the remote control 118 requesting a volume change and transmit to all the audio sink devices one or more instructions to change their volume.
  • a wireless calibration device 116 may be placed at a typical viewing and/or listening position 121 (e.g., near or on a chair or couch that a user 120 would sit to view the television) of the HES 100 by the user 120 (see FIG. 1 ).
  • the WHEH 102 could direct a calibration signal to each audio device in sequence or in combination, or each audio device could be directed to generate its own calibration program.
  • a microphone in the wireless calibration device 116 monitors the calibration signals from the audio devices, and can communicate its readings to the WHEH 102 or back to the audio devices in a point-to-point or broadcast mode. Adjustments could then be made to the frequency characteristics, volume, or other parameters to provide a calibrated home theater environment.
  • a wireless light sensitive device could be used to monitor a calibration signal from one or more display devices 112 to provide video calibration of the system.
  • the microphone and light sensitive device may be contained in a single calibration unit. Alternately, the microphone and light sensitive may be contained in separate calibration units.
  • an actuator on the microphone device could cause the device to communicate with the hub to initiate the calibration sequence.
  • one or more audio/visual receivers (AVR) 145 or amplifiers can be used to connect the HES 100 to speaker system.
  • the speaker system may be wired 140 , wireless 142 or a combination thereof.
  • the front speakers 142 in a four speaker system may be wirelessly connected 146 to the AVR 145 , while the rear speakers 140 are connected by a wire 148 to the AVR 145 .
  • the AVR 145 is registered with the WHEH 102 and receives audio data from an active source (not shown) or through the WHEH 102 , as described above.
  • the AVR 145 transmits the received audio data to the appropriate speakers 140 , 142 , either through the wired connection 148 or by wireless communication 146 .
  • wireless speakers 142 are not registered with the WHEH 102 as described above and do not receive data from the WHEH 102 or source devices 122 in the HES 100 , but instead communicate with the AVR 145 using methods understood by those skilled in the art.
  • a home theatre network interface box (HTNIB) 125 may be used to connect “legacy” devices 130 into the HES 100 , including the WHEH 102 .
  • Legacy devices generally include those devices that require hardwire connection for transmission and/or receipt of data and are not wireless enabled (e.g., an analog television connected to a set-top box using coaxial cable), although a wireless device may also be considered a legacy device if the wireless device can not be configured to communicate with the wireless home entertainment hub.
  • the legacy device is connected to the HTNIB 125 using a hardwire connection 128 (e.g. coaxial cable).
  • the HTNIB 125 is capable of being registered with the WHEH 102 , and recognized by the WHEH 102 as the legacy device to which it is connected.
  • the WHEH 102 directs data to and/or from the HTNIB 125 as appropriate to the type of legacy device to which the HTNIB 125 is connected.
  • the HTNIB 125 passes data to and/or from the connected legacy device as required by the current configuration of the HES 100 . If a legacy source device outputs data in either an analog format or a digital format different than that used by the WHEH 102 , the HTNIB 125 can convert the output data into a digital format compatible with transmission between the WHEH 102 and registered devices within the HES 100 .
  • the HTNIB 125 _ may convert the digital data from the source device into either an analog format or a different digital format compatible with the legacy device.
  • VCR video cassette recorder
  • the WHEH 102 will recognize the NTNIB 125 as a VCR, and when the user 120 selects the source unit VCR, will instruct the sink devices 124 in the HES 100 to listen to the transmission from the NTNIB 125 , which is transmitting the data received from the cable connected to the VCR.
  • One or more HTNIBs 125 could be used in the HES 100 to connect one or more legacy devices.
  • a single HTNIB 125 could used to connect one or more legacy devices to the HES 100 , wherein the HTNIB 125 contains one or more connections for sink and source devices. Each connection can be uniquely registered with the WHEH 102 .
  • a single WHEH 102 may provide programming to multiple sets of sink devices that are registered with the WHEH 102 .
  • the HES 100 may be partitioned into one or more zones. Each sink device 124 in the HES 100 can be assigned to a zone. Zone assignment may be performed at the time of device registration with the WHEH 102 . Zone assignment or changing zone assignments can also be accomplished at any time after device registration.
  • An example of zone partitions within a HES 100 is that zone 1 includes the display device and 7.1 speaker system in the living room; zone 2 includes a display device in the bedroom; zone 3 includes an AVR 145 connected to speakers in the kitchen; and zone 4 includes a PC 114 in the home office.
  • Multi-zone operation allows users 120 in different partitions of the HES 100 to received data from different source devices 122 registered with the WHEH 102 .
  • the sink devices in zone 1 are presenting the program from an HD-DVD
  • the speakers in the kitchen connected to the AVR 145 in zone 3 are presenting audio from a wireless music storage device that is also registered with the WHEH 102 .
  • Zone assignments can be designed by the user 120 .
  • devices can be assigned to a zone in the HES 100 by the WHEH 102 based on determining the location of the device and identifying clusters of device as separate zones. The device locations may be input by the user during or after the time of device registration, or the WHEH 102 may automatically determine the locations of registered devices.
  • the WHEH 102 can receive an audio source signal containing more channels than can be presented in the current HES 100 (e.g., the audio signal is configured for a 7.1 system, but the installed HES 100 utilizes a 5.1 speaker configuration.)
  • the WHEH 102 can process and downmix the audio signal for presentation on the available speaker configuration.
  • the WHEH 102 may also provide to the user 120 an indication that the audio signal contains more audio channels than the current configuration of the HES 100 can support, and recommend to the user 120 that additional speakers 110 be added to the HES 100 to fully support playback of such audio.
  • the HES 100 may also contain more than one display device 112 assigned to the same zone. Each display device 112 is registered with the WHEH 102 using one of the methods described above. The user may choose to designate one of the display devices 112 as the primary display device during or after registration of the display device 112 , or alternately the WHEH 102 may automatically designate one of the display devices 112 as a primary display based on the characteristics of the display device, such a screen size or pixel density, with the other display devices being designated as secondary displays. For example, referring to FIG.
  • the WHEH 102 may automatically designate the 51′′ HDTV 180 as the primary display based on larger screen size, while the 32′′ HDTV's 185 become the secondary displays.
  • Secondary displays can be used to show supplemental program content that is complimentary to the main program content being displayed on the primary display.
  • This supplemental program content may be encoded in the main program stream received from a content service provider, or may be transmitted as a separate program stream or side channel.
  • the secondary display may also present alternate views of an event during news reporting.
  • the on-location reporter is on the primary screen, while alternate video related to that location is shown on the secondary displays.
  • the secondary display may also be used to display extra program content included on a DVD. For example, bloopers or directors commentary corresponding to the scene of a movie presented on the primary display can be shown on the secondary display.
  • the secondary display may also be used to present advertisements concurrent with main program content shown on the primary display.
  • the advertisements may be related to a product currently being featured in the main program content, such as for an automobile or a brand of food or drink.
  • the secondary display can present to the user 120 a website corresponding to an Internet address displayed on the primary display.
  • the Internet address may be transmitted along with but separate from the program content and received by the WHEH 102 , which detects the Internet address in the program stream and retrieves the content of the website using a network connection available within the HES 100 .
  • the WHEH 102 may derive a web address shown on the primary display through OCR on frames formed from the program content of the main display, or the WHEH 102 may utilize other methods of character recognition understood by those skilled in the art.
  • the user may browse the website presented on the secondary display using the remote control 118 .
  • the HES 100 may contain a number of identical or nearly identical display devices 112 arranged to provide the user 120 with a wide angle video experience.
  • the display devices 112 may be arranged to completely encircle the user 120 providing a surround video experience.
  • a source device 122 provides a program containing multiple video channels which, when displayed on the multiple display devices 112 , provide a panoramic view of the program content to the user 120 .
  • the WHEH 102 may direct the source device to transmit each of the video channels to the appropriate display device. Alternately, the WHEH 102 may receive the transmission from the source device, and transmit the appropriate video channel to the corresponding display device 112 .
  • multi-channel video programming may be displayed on a single display device 112 by compositing the video channels by the WHEH 102 for display on a single device. For example, if a programming channel contains data for three separate video channels that can be displayed to form a multi-display program, and the HES 100 contains only one display device, the WHEH 102 can composite the three video channels to be displayed on the one display device 112 in the HES 100 .
  • Systems using a WHEH 102 can be supplied in a low-security configuration to ease installation by non-technical users.
  • the user 120 can enter a code on one device and confirm the code on another device or on the user interface.
  • various system components can ship with awareness of unique identifiers of other devices in the system.
  • the WHEH 102 may be used to wirelessly connect musical devices.
  • Music source devices and musical sink devices can be connected to a mixing board containing an advanced embodiment of the WHEH 102 .
  • Music source devices include, but are not limited to, musical instruments, microphones, effects systems, and amplifiers.
  • Music sink devices include by are not limited to speakers, and audio monitors.
  • the mixing board acts as both a sink unit and source unit, and is a convenient location for placement of the WHEH 102 .
  • the musical devices are all registered with the WHEH 102 similar to the produce procedure described above for the HES 100 .
  • the WHEH 102 may detect the specific user or users of the HES 100 through RFID, image capture and analysis, or other personal identification technologies understood by those skilled in the art.
  • the remote control 118 may be equipped with a fingerprint scanner used for identification of the user 120 .
  • the identification of the user 120 can be used to control access to various devices of the HES 100 based on a set of rules customizable for each user of the HES 100 by an authorized user (i.e., parent). For example, access to one or more devices can be denied based on time of day. Similarly, access to certain programming channels can also be denied based on a television program rating system, time of day, or selected channels. For example, users identified as children may not be allowed access to an Xbox® gaming console before 5 PM on weekdays or may not be allowed to view channels showing television programming rated TV-MA (under the US TV Parental Guidelines).
  • Characteristics of the HES 100 may be automatically adjusted based on identification of the user 120 by the WHEH 102 .
  • Characteristics of the HES 100 include physical characteristics, such as the height or orientation (e.g. rotation, tilt) of the display device or speakers, and system characteristics, such as volume or equalization of the audio, or channel on the STB 106 .
  • a profile may be stored in the WHEH 102 with information about the characteristics of the HES 100 corresponding the user 120 . The profile may be set by the user 120 or the WHEH 102 may store the last configuration of the HES 100 for each user 120 and return the HES 100 to that configuration when the user 120 begins an entertainment session.
  • the profile also contains information about positioning or adjustments of viewing location 121 , such as a couch or chair equipped with automatic adjustment mechanisms understood by those skilled in the art.
  • the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented with any combination of hardware and software. If implemented as a computer-implemented apparatus, the present invention is implemented using means for performing all of the steps and functions described above.
  • the embodiments of the present invention can be included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, for instance, computer useable media.
  • the media has embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means for providing and facilitating the mechanisms of the present invention.
  • the article of manufacture can be included as part of a computer system or sold separately.

Abstract

A method of detecting missing devices in a home entertainment system using a wireless home entertainment hub includes obtaining a registration of at least one device that includes a source device. An instruction is received from a user to present program content from the source device. A set of one or more sink devices missing from the home entertainment system for a presentation of the program content based on an assessment by the wireless home entertainment hub of presentation capabilities of the home entertainment system using the at least one device registered with the wireless home entertainment hub is determined. The set of one or more sink devices is presented to the user.

Description

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/563,486, entitled Inventory of Home Entertainment System Devices Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Nov. 27, 2006, Attorney Docket No. TPL-010-1 which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/470,862, entitled Data Presentation Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Sep. 7, 2006, Attorney Docket No. TPL-009-1, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/535,211, entitled Device Registration using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Sep. 26, 2006, Attorney Docket No. TPL-009-5; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/535,216, entitled User Directed Device Registration using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Sep. 26, 2006, Attorney Docket No. TPL-009-6; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/535,232, entitled Source Device Change using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Sep. 26, 2006, Attorney Docket No. TPL-009-7; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/470,872, entitled Control of Data Presentation using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Sep. 7, 2006, Attorney Docket No. TPL-009-2; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/470,879, entitled Data Presentation from Multiple Sources using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Sep. 7, 2006, Attorney Docket No. TPL-009-3; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/470,895, entitled Control of Data Presentation from Multiple Sources using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Sep. 7, 2006, Attorney Docket No. TPL-009-4; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/563,366, entitled Control of Access to Data Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Nov. 27, 2006, Attorney Docket No. TPL-009-8; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/760,075, entitled Remote Control Operation Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Jun. 8, 2007, Attorney Docket No. TPL-009-9; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/760,119, entitled Audio Control Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Jun. 8, 2007, Attorney Docket No. TPL-009-10,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/760,121, entitled Power Management Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Jun. 8, 2007, Attorney Docket, No. TPL-009-11, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled Device Registration Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed October, 2007, Attorney Docket No. TPL-009-12, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled Musical Instrument Mixer, filed October, 2007, Attorney Docket No. TPL-009-13,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/563,529, entitled Connecting a Legacy Device into a Home Entertainment System Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Nov. 27, 2006, Attorney Docket No. TPL-010-2;U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/563,530 entitled Data Presentation in Multiple Zones Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Nov. 27, 2006, Attorney Docket No. TPL-010-3,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/563,503 entitled Control of Data Presentation in Multiple Zones Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Nov. 27, 2006, Attorney Docket No. TPL-010-4, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled Device Control Using Multi-dimensional Motion Sensing and a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Oct. 31, 2007, Attorney Docket No. TPL-010-6, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/624,755, entitled Presentation of Data on Multiple Display Devices Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Jan. 19, 2007, Attorney Docket No. TPL-012-1, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/761,001, entitled Calibration of a Home Entertainment System Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Jun. 11, 2007, Attorney Docket No. TPL-012-2, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/761,008, entitled Presentation of Still Image Data on Display Devices Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Jun. 11, 2007, Attorney Docket No. TPL-012-3, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/761,011, entitled Data Presentation by User Movement in Multiple Zones Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Jun. 11, 2007, Attorney Docket No. TPL-012-4, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled VoIP Interface Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub, filed Oct. 31, 2007, Attorney Docket No. TPL-012-5, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which there is shown one or more of the multiple embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the various embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.
  • In the Drawings:
  • FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a home entertainment system according to one embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a use-case diagram of a wireless home entertainment hub in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of user-initiated automatic registration in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of manual device registration in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of source activation in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of direct source to sink transmission of data within the home entertainment system of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of transmission of data directed by the wireless home entertainment hub within the home entertainment system of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of operation of a remote control in accordance with the wireless home entertainment system of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 9 is a system diagram of an audio/visual receiver used to connect speakers to the wireless home entertainment hub of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 10 is a system diagram of a wireless network interface box used to connect non-wireless enabled devices to the wireless home entertainment hub of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 11 is a system diagram of a multiple display device configuration in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 12 is a system diagram of an implementation of using multiple display devices for a wide-angle display in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 13 illustrates a series of exemplary user interface display device screens for registering devices in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 14 illustrates a series of exemplary user interface display device screens for registering speakers in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1; and
  • FIG. 15 illustrates a series of exemplary user interface display device screens for showing missing devices in accordance with the home entertainment system of FIG. 1.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings, the same reference letters are employed for designating the same elements throughout the several figures.
  • The words “right”, “left”, “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the home entertainment system and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
  • Unified Modeling Language (“UML”) can be used to model and/or describe methods and systems and provide the basis for better understanding their functionality and internal operation as well as describing interfaces with external components, systems and people using standardized notation. When used herein, UML diagrams including, but not limited to, use case diagrams, class diagrams and activity diagrams, are meant to serve as an aid in describing the embodiments of the present invention, but do not constrain implementation thereof to any particular hardware or software embodiments. Unless otherwise noted, the notation used with respect to the UML diagrams contained herein is consistent with the UML 2.0 specification or variants thereof and is understood by those skilled in the art.
  • An exemplary home entertainment system (HES) 100 including wirelessly connected devices in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Interactions between the various wireless devices in the HES 100 and a user 120 are coordinated by a wireless home entertainment hub (WHEH) 102. It is understood by those skilled in the art that a wireless device in the HES 100 may contain an external wire for the purpose of supplying power to the wireless device.
  • Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2, devices in the HES 100 can broadly be classified into two categories: source devices 122 and sink devices 124. Source devices 122 transmit data within the HES 100. Source devices 122 include, but are not limited to, DVD players 104, digital video recorders (DVR) (not shown), set-top boxes (STB) 106 (e.g., cable or satellite channel tuners), gaming consoles 108 (e.g. Xbox®, PlayStation®), CD players or other audio playback devices (e.g., MP3 player) (not shown). It is understood by those skilled in the art that external data can be introduced into the HES 100 for transmission by one or more of the source devices 122 by various means, such as optical fiber, co-axial cable, or a satellite dish system connected to the STB 106. Sink devices 124 receive the transmitted data within the HES 100, sometimes converting a signal into an audible or visible stimulus. Sink devices 124 include, but are not limited to, speakers 110, audio/visual receivers (AVR) 145 (see FIG. 9), and display devices 112 such as an HDTV or other television, monitor, or display screen or mechanism.
  • Those skilled in the art will recognize that a PC 114 can act as a source device 122 and/or a sink device 124 within the HES 100. The PC 114 can act ad an audio and/or a video source transmitting data from, for example, a CD, DVD, stored music and video media, or data accessed from the Internet. The PC 114 can also act as a sink device 124 displaying video and audio data from, for example, the DVD player 104 or STB 106.
  • The HES 100 may also utilize a remote control 118 and a calibration device 116, discussed in greater detail below.
  • The WHEH 102 facilitates the transfer of data between the source and sink devices in the HES 100, as well as coordinates the interaction between the user 120 and the source and sink devices 122, 124. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the WHEH 102 may perform a register devices use-case, change source use-case, direct audio and video signal use-case, program remote use-case, control volume use-case, and calibrate system use-case, which are described in more detail below. Within the HES 100, the WHEH 102 controls the flow of data, information and other “traffic” by recognizing the devices within the HES 100, tracking their current status (e.g., active, standby, etc.), directing the transfer of data between devices, etc. In addition, the WHEH 102 provides a central controller for the HES 100 that allows a user 120 to operate the HES 100 in an efficient manner through interaction with the WHEH 102, which then subsequently provides instructions to the other devices in the HES 100 to perform the function requested by the user 120. Such interactions with the WHEH 102 by the user may be performed through with a visual user interface presented on the screen of the display device 112. Alternately, the remote control 118 may include a display screen, such as an LCD, to present the user with a visual interface to the WHEH 102.
  • The WHEH 102 includes one or more wireless transceiver units to facilitate the wireless transfer of data between the source and sink devices 122, 124 using wireless communication standards described below, a memory for storing data and other information generally used in the operation of the HES 100, and a processor for executing the instruction sets for the functions of performed by the WHEH 102, including the use-cases listed above. The WHEH 102 may exist as a standalone unit or it may be integrated into another device. For example, the WHEH may be included in the display device 112 or the remote control 118. One skilled in the art will recognize that the WHEH 102 can act as a source device 122 and/or a sink device 124 in the HES 100. For example, the WHEH 102 may receive data (i.e., acts as a sink unit) from a source unit currently transmitting data in the HES 100, and process and transmit that data (i.e., acts as a source unit) to other sink devices in the HES 100 for presentation to a user 120.
  • Ultra-wide band technology (UWB) utilizing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or a direct sequence communication system may be used for the wireless communication between the WHEH 102 and the source and sink devices 122, 124 in the HES 100. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a number of other wireless commutation standards, including Bluetooth and various WiFi standards, can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of multiple embodiments of the present invention for transfer of data between devices within the HES 100. In one embodiment, more than one wireless standard may be utilized within the HES 100 to facilitate data transfer between the devices. For example, the WHEH 102 and source and sink devices 122, 124 may each contain a UWB transceiver for transfer of audio and/or video data and a WiFi transceiver for transferring operation instructions.
  • Referring generally to FIGS. 2-4, audio and video devices in the HES 100 can be registered with the WHEH 102. The registration creates a unique association between devices and the WHEH 102 such that registered devices belonging to the HES 100 are controlled by WHEH 102, and cannot simultaneously be registered with a different home entertainment system or another wireless home entertainment hub operating in a nearby proximity, such as in a neighboring apartment or household.
  • User-Initiated Automatic Registration
  • Referring to FIG. 3, the user 120 initiates the registration procedure. The WHEH 102 sends a request for any unregistered device to respond. The WHEH 102 request may include a unique identifier for the WHEH 102, such as an WHEH ID number. A device response includes a unique device identifier, such as a device ID number. Referring to FIG. 13, a list of responding devices 160 is presented to the user 120, and the user 120 selects the device that is to be registered with WHEH 102. The WHEH 102 sends a registration instruction to the selected device and the registration is stored on both the device and the WHEH 102. Once a registration has been established 162, the device is removed from the list 164, and the registration process is repeated for the remaining unregistered devices within the HES 100 that have responded to the WHEH 102.
  • In an alternate embodiment, the registration procedure is accomplished automatically between the WHEH 102 and unregistered devices. For example, the WHEH 102 may periodically broadcast a request for any unregistered devices to report. In addition to replying with the device ID number, an unregistered device can respond with a list of its capabilities so that the WHEH 102 can determine the functionality of the device (i.e., if it is a DVD player, DVR, STB, etc.) before sending a registration instruction. Alternately, the unregistered device can respond with its make and model number from which the WHEH 102 can determine the functionality of the device using an internal database of devices and also obtain any necessary command codes for the device,
  • Alternatively, the user 120 may initiate the broadcast for unregistered sources instead of having the WHEH 102 perform a periodic broadcast for unregistered sources. For example, when a user 120 adds a new component or device to the HES 100, a request to find unregistered sources may be initiated, such that once the request is initiated, the remaining registration procedure proceeds automatically as discussed above.
  • In an alternate embodiment, the WHEH 102 may automatically recognize and register all devices in the HES 100. For example, a user 120 may purchase a set of coordinated devices for wireless HES 100 including, for example, a display, set of multi-channel speakers, a DVD player 104, and a WHEH 102 (which may be a discreet device or contained in one of the system devices, such as the display or remote control). Each of these coordinated devices may contain a coordinated ID that is recognizable by the WHEH 102. Additionally, the speakers may be labeled with their intended position within the HES 100 (e.g., front left, middle right) to aid the user 120 in their correct placement. Upon placement and power-up, without any additional actions by the user 120, the WHEH 102 automatically registers the coordinated devices based on their coordinated ID's that have been set by the device manufacturer.
  • The wireless HES 100 may perform an error checking during the registration of the source and sink devices to make sure that the device being registered matches the type of device being requested for registration. The WHEH 102 can compare the list of capabilities received from the device during the registration with a list of expected capabilities stored in the WHEH 102. If the capabilities in the device reply match the expected capabilities of the WHEH 102, an indication of the registration is stored in the WHEH 102 and the device. If the capabilities and expected capabilities do not match, the registration is not stored and may be re-initiated.
  • Manual Registration
  • The registration may also be performed manually by the user 120 (see FIG. 4). The user 120 initiates a registration procedure by pressing a registration actuator on the WHEH 102. Examples of actuators include buttons, touch pads, touch screens, or any other actuating assembly recognized by those skilled in the art. The user 120 presses a registration actuator on a selected source unit which sends a signal to the WHEH 102 that a registration should be stored with this unit. If the WHEH 102 is unable to determine the functionality of the source (e.g., DVR, DVD, etc), the user 120 may manually assign the functionality of the source to complete the registration. For example, if the user 120 selects the registration actuators on the WHEH 102 and the DVD player 104, the WHEH 102 may cause “DVD registered” to be displayed if the selected source is recognized as a DVD player 104 by the WHEH 102. If the selected source is not recognized, the WHEH 102 may prompt the user 120 to select the type of source device from a list. Thus, in this case, the user 120 may select “DVD” in order to complete the registration. This process is repeated until all the unregistered sources have been registered with the WHEH 102, or similarly if a new source is added into an existing system. In other embodiments, the user 120 may initiate registration from a source device 122, a sink device 124, a remote control 118, or over a network.
  • Multi-Instance Device Registration
  • For device types where multiple instances of the device exist within the system 100 (e.g., speakers 110), a number of approaches can be used to identify each device's specific role. For speakers 110, the role of each speaker can be pre-identified by the manufacturer (e.g., “front-right”, “subwoofer”, etc.). The user-initiated automatic registration procedure described above could be used to register the speakers 110 with the WHEH 102 since the speaker 110 could identify itself, for example, as the front left speaker, during the registration process. Alternatively, each speaker 110 could have a physical input that the user 120 could set to indicate the speaker's role (e.g. “front-left”, “back-right-surround”). In another embodiment, the WHEH 102 could use one or more microphones within the HES 100 to elicit position and frequency response information, or the HES 100 could use other position detection technologies understood by those skilled in the art.
  • In another embodiment, each speaker 110 could have a registration actuator to be activated in response to a WHEH 102 prompt for a speaker playing a specific role. For instance, the WHEH 102 could prompt the user 120 for the front-left speaker and the user 120 could activate the registration actuator. Alternately, the user 120 may initiate the registration procedure by activating a registration actuator on the WHEH 102. The user 120 then presses a registration actuator on a speaker 110 and identifies the functionality of that speaker 110 within the audio system 100. For example, at the time of registration, the user 120 identifies the selected speaker as the left front, the repeats for right front, continuing until all the speakers 110 have been identified and registered. In one embodiment, the WHEH 102 may prompt the user 120 with a list or graphic display of speaker positions available as shown in FIG. 14. The user 120 first selects the speaker 110 to be registered and then presses the registration actuator on the selected speaker. In an alternate embodiment, the WHEH 102 may first prompt the user 120 to enter the number of speakers to be registered with the WHEH 102 and then select the appropriate speaker configuration to match. For example, if only four speakers 110 are selected, the WHEH 102 would not present the user 120 with a Dolby® Digital 7.1 speaker configuration, but a four speaker list of left and right front, and left and right rear.
  • After device registration is complete, the WHEH 102 may compare the list of source devices 122 and sink devices 124 registered with the WHEH 102 to a list of possible types of source devices 122 and sink devices 124 that can be registered with the WHEH 102. Using the display device 112, the WHEH 102 may present to the user 120 a list of device types that are missing from the HES 100. The user 120 can indicate whether one or more of the listed device types are present in the HES 100, indicative of an error in the registration procedure. These devices can then be registered with the WHEH 102 using any appropriate method described above. For example, after registering all the detected devices in a HES 100, the WHEH 102 determines that a gaming console 108, a DVR, and a subwoofer are missing device types within the HES 100. A list of these missing device types is displayed on the HDTV. The user 120 inputs that the subwoofer is present in the HES 100. After the subwoofer is successfully registered, the user 120 is presented with a list of gaming console 108 and DVR as the missing device types. Referring to FIG. 15, in one embodiment, the WHEH 102 may present the user with a list of devices missing in the HES 100 based on requirements to fully support playback of program content. For example, if a DVD program contains a 5 channel audio track, but only two speakers, front left and front right, are registered with the WHEH 102, the WHEH 102 may display an indication to the user 120 that a rear left, rear right, center channel and subwoofer may be added to the HES 100 to enhance the audio experience of the user 120.
  • Once the WHEH 102 has determined a list of missing device types, the WHEH 102 may then cause advertisements for the missing devices to be displayed to the user 120 on the display device 112. The advertisements may be generic advertisements for the missing device type or may be sponsored advertisements for a specific brand of the missing device. Advertisements may be stored on the WHEH 102 or received from programming channels accessible using the STB 106. Alternately, the advertisements may be retrieved from a computer network (e.g. the Internet) through a direct connection of the WHEH 102 to the computer network or via a PC 114 connected to the computer network and registered with the WHEH 102. For example, the WHEH 102 determines that no DVR is registered with the WHEH 102. The WHEH 102 transmits an advertisement for a DVR stored in the WHEH 102 to the display device 112 for presentation to the user 120 just after the user 120 has initiated the entertainment session and before displaying the requested programming. Alternately, the WHEH 102 may insert advertisements into the programming by replacing an advertisement from the programming stream with an advertisement for the missing device or device type. For example, if a gaming console 108 is determined to be missing, the WHEH 102 may detect an advertisement for a gaming console 108 on a programming channel received on the STB 106. The WHEH 102 stores the advertisement for the gaming console 108 and replaces advertisements in the regular programming stream with the stored advertisement for a gaming console 108.
  • The presentation of the advertisement may be repeated for a predetermined length of time (e.g. for 4 weeks) or until the missing device is registered with the WHEH 102. The insertion of advertisements for missing devices or device types may also be limited to a range of dates and/or times. For example, advertisements for gaming consoles 108 may be presented to the user 120 from the middle of November until the end of December to correspond to a holiday shopping season. Alternately, the insertion of the advertisements may be based on an identification of the user by the WHEH 102.
  • Source Selection
  • Referring generally to FIGS. 2, 5-7, in addition to coordinating the registration of device within the HES 100 as described above, the WHEH 102 is also used to coordinate and/or control the state of the source and sink devices and the transfer of data from the source devices to sink devices during typical operation of the HES 100. Device states (also referred to as modes) may include “on”, “off”, “active”, “low power”, “standby”, etc. Data may include instructions, audio/video programming, or any other information generally passed between or among source/sink devices. Some examples of typical operations that are common in the general utilization of the HES 100 by the user 120 are a request or action by the user 120 to activate a source (e.g., start watching programming from a cable broadcast) or initiate a change from one source device to another (e.g., discontinue watching programming from a cable broadcast to watching a movie on the DVD player). The request to activate a source device or to change from one source device to another can be accomplished in a several ways. The user may initiate the action though the use of the remote control 118, or interact directly with a source device. For example, when a user inserts a DVD into the DVD player 104, it automatically causes the WHEH 102 to activate the DVD player 104 (or initiate a source change as described below if another source is already active in the HES 100). In either case, once the request has been made by the user 120, the WHEH 102 completes the process as described below.
  • FIG. 5. is sequence diagram showing the selection of a source device 122 by the WHEH 102 in one embodiment of the HES 100. When a source device is activated, it begins transmitting data to the HES 100. The instruction to activate also causes an internal reference count within the source device to increment by one, where the reference count represents the current number of zones (described in more detail below) that are receiving data from the source device For example, if the source device, currently in standby mode, is activated, its reference count increases to one. After a user 120 initiates a request to change to a new source, the WHEH 102 instructs the current active source device to decrement its internal reference count by one. When the active source device internal reference count is zero, the source device may stop transmitting and enter a low power or stand-by mode. If the internal reference count is not zero, the source device continues to transmit since there are other devices still listening to its transmission. The WHEH 102 then instructs the newly selected source unit to activate, including increasing its internal reference count by one, and the newly selected source device begins transmitting data to the HES 100. The sink devices may receive the transmitted data directly from the current active source or from the WHEH 100, both described below. In an alternate embodiment, a list of the sink devices 124 in one or more zones of the HES 100 that are listening for data from the source device 122 is stored in the source device 122. Sink devices 124 are added or removed from the list as directed by the WHEH 102. When there are no sink devices on the list, the source device may stop transmitting and enter a low power or stand-by mode.
  • Direct Source to Sink Data Transmission
  • Referring to FIG. 6, after a source activation or change is initiated within the HES 100 as described above, the WHEH 102 broadcasts to all sink units, or those that are relevant, an instruction to discontinue receiving and transmitting data from the previously active source and begin receiving the transmitted data from the newly selected source, where the activities in FIG. 6. labeled “transmitVideo( )” and “transmitAudio( )” represent a continuous stream of data from the source device 122 to the sink devices 124. This instruction from the WHEH 102 may be broadcast as a single instruction to all units (i.e., a common instruction recognizable by any device in the HES 100) or may be a distinct instruction sent to each of the sink units. Audio and/or video data from the current active source device is transmitted directly to the relevant sink devices as instructed by the WHEH 102. For example, the display device 112 and speaker 110 receive and present the video data and audio data, respectively, from the current active source device. In one embodiment, the newly selected source device that has been activated in the HES 100 may transmit one or more instructions directly to the sink units to begin receiving and presenting the data from the newly selected source and discontinue presenting the data from the previously active source.
  • Source to Sink Data Transmission Through the WHEH
  • In an alternate embodiment, the sink units in the HES 100 receive data from the wireless home entertainment hub (see FIG. 7). The WHEH 102 receives the audio and video data from the current active source device and transmits the audio and video data to the appropriate sink unit. If a source change is initiated within the HES 100 as described above, the sink units may be unaware of a change of source with the HES 100 since they always listen to (i.e., receive data from) the WHEH 102, and not directly to the active source device.
  • In one embodiment, more than one source can be designed as an active source by the WHEH 102. Data from multiple active sources can be simultaneously presented by the relevant sink devices as described by the two methods above. The WHEH 102 receives the data from the two or more active source devices and transmits the data to the relevant sink devices. The WHEH 102 may process (e.g., mix) the data from the two or more source devices before transmitting. Alternately, the WHEH 102 may instruct the sink devices to listen to and present data transmitted directly from the two or more active sink devices.
  • Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment of the present invention, a remote control 118 is used with the HES 100. The remote control 118 receives actuator assignments based on the currently active source in the HES 100 from the WHEH 102. For example, if the DVD player 104 is currently the active source, the actuator assignment on the remote control 118 is for the DVD player 104. When a user 120 activates an actuator on the remote control 118, the actuator selection is sent directly to the DVD player 104, which responds with the corresponding activity for that actuator. If the user 120 initiates a source change through the WHEH 102 as described above, (e.g. from the DVD player 104 to the set-top tuner), then the WHEH 102 sends a new actuator assignment to the remote control 118 for the set-top tuner. Actuators activated on the remote control 118 by a user 120 now cause an activity in the set-top box instead of the DVD player 104. This method of operation of the remote control 118 is referred to a “dumb” remote. The functionality of the actuators on the remote control is controlled by the WHEH 102 based on the current active source in the HES 100. The remote does not need to store any information about past or present states of the HES 100 or registration information between the devices in the HES 100.
  • In an alternate embodiment, a “smart” remote may be used in conjunction with the HES 100. The smart remote learns and stores the system configuration, i.e., what source and sink devices are registered with the WHEH 102. It also learns and stores the current state of the system, i.e., what sources and sinks are active. In addition, the smart remote stores the actuator assignments in an internal memory and may store system status information along with device registration information. When a user 120 requests a source change using the remote, the WHEH 102 activates the new source as describe above, and the functionality of the remote control 118 is switched to controlling the newly active source without any input from the WHEH 102 to re-assign the actuators as described in the dumb remote case above. In one embodiment, the WHEH 102 may be contained in the smart remote instead of the display device 112.
  • A handheld mobile device, such as cellular phone or personal digital assistant, can use appropriate wireless capabilities to communicate with a WHEH 102, obtain information to build and present a user interface, and serve as a remote control 118 for the HES 100. In addition, the capabilities of the HES 100 may be used to enhance the functionality of the handheld mobile device. For example, when a cellular phone is active the remote control 118, the active display device 112 may display CallerID information or other information generally presented on the cellular phone display to the user 120 during an incoming telephone call.
  • The WHEH 102 may respond to voice commands. A user 120 can perform some or all of the functionality of the remote control 118 by using simple audible commands. For example, to change the STB to channel 21, the user 120 might say “Channel 21” and the WHEH 102 sends the corresponding instruction to the STB to complete the channel change, or use the command “Volume Up” increase the system volume, where the WHEH 102 send instructions to the active sink unit to increase volume.
  • In one embodiment, the WHEH 102 may respond to physical gestures made by the user 120 with the remote control 118. A user can provide instructions to the WHEH 102 corresponding to a predetermined set of physical motions of the remote. The remote control 118 may include a motion sensing system that can relay motion information in up to 3-dimensions to the WHEH 102. Additionally, the WHEH 102 or remote control 118 may include directional sensors to determine the orientation of the remote control relative to the HES 100 or sense rotation. Such motion sensing systems and directional sensors are understood by those skilled in the art. For example, a user wishing to switch from watching the DVD player to the STB 106 may simply point the remote at the STB 106, actuating an actuator on the remote control 118 to select a programming channel. Alternately, channel selection may be accomplished by a quick series of left or right motions of the remote control, each left or right motion decrementing or incrementing, respectively, the channel displayed by the STB 106. Volume control may be accomplished, for example, by a vertical motion of the remote control 118 directed at the display device 112 or speakers 110. In this manner, the volume of each speaker can be adjusted independently of the other speakers. In one embodiment, gestures may be used to move presentation of video content from one display device to another, engage picture-in-picture functionality, or perform other manipulations.
  • Power Management
  • At startup of an entertainment session, a user 120 may direct a power-on message to the WHEH 102, via a remote control 118 or perhaps via an actuator on the WHEH 102 or device containing WHEH 102 functionality. The WHEH 102 can then retrieve input from the user 120 regarding the capabilities required for the session and send activation messages to appropriate devices.
  • In another embodiment, a source device 122 can send a broadcast message to the sink devices 124 in the home entertainment network indicating required presentation capabilities. Required devices can activate themselves and unneeded devices can enter a low-power state. For example, all devices in the system are in a lower power mode. The user inserts a DVD into the DVD player 104 which causes the DVD to become active. The WHEH 102 detects the activity of the DVD player 104 and instructs the display device 112 and speakers 110 to activate. Alternately, the display device 112 and speakers detect the activity of the DVD player 104 directly and activate.
  • In one embodiment, upon indication from the active source device of the required audio output channels, the WHEH 102 sends signals to the audio sink devices to indicate whether or not they should remain active. For instance, upon indication of a Dolby® Digital 2.1 program, the WHEH 102 may communicate to the side and rear speakers that they may enter a low power mode. Similarly, when an audio-only program is indicated, for example from the CD player, the WHEH 102 can communicate to the video display device 112 that it may enter a low power non-display state.
  • Devices in the HES 100 may contain low-powered radios (i.e., transceivers) that poll for activity or constantly monitor for WHEH 102 messages during a low-power device state. Wireless radios conforming to the “ZigBee” standards can be used in some embodiments. “Bluetooth” or “WiFi” radios can be used in other embodiments. Modes of “UWB” can also be used to detect communications during low-power operations.
  • Volume Control
  • Volume control, including system muting, can be accomplished in multiple ways. In one embodiment, all active audio sink devices may individually detect that the remote control 118 has transmitted an instruction to change the volume. For instance, the eight speakers of a 7.1 surround sound system each detect a “volume up” instruction transmitted from the remote control 118. Each speaker then increases the gain on its internal amplifier, thereby driving the speaker to higher volume. Alternatively, the WHEH 102 can detect an instruction from the remote control 118 requesting a volume change and transmit to all the audio sink devices one or more instructions to change their volume.
  • System Calibration
  • For calibration of the HES 100, a wireless calibration device 116 may be placed at a typical viewing and/or listening position 121 (e.g., near or on a chair or couch that a user 120 would sit to view the television) of the HES 100 by the user 120 (see FIG. 1). For audio calibration, the WHEH 102 could direct a calibration signal to each audio device in sequence or in combination, or each audio device could be directed to generate its own calibration program. A microphone in the wireless calibration device 116 monitors the calibration signals from the audio devices, and can communicate its readings to the WHEH 102 or back to the audio devices in a point-to-point or broadcast mode. Adjustments could then be made to the frequency characteristics, volume, or other parameters to provide a calibrated home theater environment. Similarly, a wireless light sensitive device could be used to monitor a calibration signal from one or more display devices 112 to provide video calibration of the system. In one embodiment, the microphone and light sensitive device may be contained in a single calibration unit. Alternately, the microphone and light sensitive may be contained in separate calibration units. In one embodiment, an actuator on the microphone device could cause the device to communicate with the hub to initiate the calibration sequence.
  • A/V Receiver
  • Referring to FIG. 9, one or more audio/visual receivers (AVR) 145 or amplifiers can be used to connect the HES 100 to speaker system. The speaker system may be wired 140, wireless 142 or a combination thereof. For example, the front speakers 142 in a four speaker system may be wirelessly connected 146 to the AVR 145, while the rear speakers 140 are connected by a wire 148 to the AVR 145. The AVR 145 is registered with the WHEH 102 and receives audio data from an active source (not shown) or through the WHEH 102, as described above. The AVR 145 transmits the received audio data to the appropriate speakers 140, 142, either through the wired connection 148 or by wireless communication 146. It should be noted that if the AVR 145 is configured for use with wireless speakers 142, these wireless speakers 142 are not registered with the WHEH 102 as described above and do not receive data from the WHEH 102 or source devices 122 in the HES 100, but instead communicate with the AVR 145 using methods understood by those skilled in the art.
  • Legacy Adaptor
  • Referring to FIG. 10, a home theatre network interface box (HTNIB) 125 may be used to connect “legacy” devices 130 into the HES 100, including the WHEH 102. Legacy devices generally include those devices that require hardwire connection for transmission and/or receipt of data and are not wireless enabled (e.g., an analog television connected to a set-top box using coaxial cable), although a wireless device may also be considered a legacy device if the wireless device can not be configured to communicate with the wireless home entertainment hub. The legacy device is connected to the HTNIB 125 using a hardwire connection 128 (e.g. coaxial cable). The HTNIB 125 is capable of being registered with the WHEH 102, and recognized by the WHEH 102 as the legacy device to which it is connected. The WHEH 102 directs data to and/or from the HTNIB 125 as appropriate to the type of legacy device to which the HTNIB 125 is connected. The HTNIB 125 passes data to and/or from the connected legacy device as required by the current configuration of the HES 100. If a legacy source device outputs data in either an analog format or a digital format different than that used by the WHEH 102, the HTNIB 125 can convert the output data into a digital format compatible with transmission between the WHEH 102 and registered devices within the HES 100. Similarly, if the HTNIB 125_is connected to a legacy sink device, the HTNIB may convert the digital data from the source device into either an analog format or a different digital format compatible with the legacy device. For example, if a video cassette recorder (VCR) is connected to the HTNIB 125, the WHEH 102 will recognize the NTNIB 125 as a VCR, and when the user 120 selects the source unit VCR, will instruct the sink devices 124 in the HES 100 to listen to the transmission from the NTNIB 125, which is transmitting the data received from the cable connected to the VCR. One or more HTNIBs 125 could be used in the HES 100 to connect one or more legacy devices. In one embodiment, a single HTNIB 125 could used to connect one or more legacy devices to the HES 100, wherein the HTNIB 125 contains one or more connections for sink and source devices. Each connection can be uniquely registered with the WHEH 102.
  • Multi-Zone Operation
  • A single WHEH 102 may provide programming to multiple sets of sink devices that are registered with the WHEH 102. The HES 100 may be partitioned into one or more zones. Each sink device 124 in the HES 100 can be assigned to a zone. Zone assignment may be performed at the time of device registration with the WHEH 102. Zone assignment or changing zone assignments can also be accomplished at any time after device registration. An example of zone partitions within a HES 100 is that zone 1 includes the display device and 7.1 speaker system in the living room; zone 2 includes a display device in the bedroom; zone 3 includes an AVR 145 connected to speakers in the kitchen; and zone 4 includes a PC 114 in the home office. Multi-zone operation allows users 120 in different partitions of the HES 100 to received data from different source devices 122 registered with the WHEH 102. For instance, the sink devices in zone 1 are presenting the program from an HD-DVD, while the speakers in the kitchen connected to the AVR 145 in zone 3 are presenting audio from a wireless music storage device that is also registered with the WHEH 102. Zone assignments can be designed by the user 120. Alternately, devices can be assigned to a zone in the HES 100 by the WHEH 102 based on determining the location of the device and identifying clusters of device as separate zones. The device locations may be input by the user during or after the time of device registration, or the WHEH 102 may automatically determine the locations of registered devices.
  • In one embodiment, the WHEH 102 can receive an audio source signal containing more channels than can be presented in the current HES 100 (e.g., the audio signal is configured for a 7.1 system, but the installed HES 100 utilizes a 5.1 speaker configuration.) The WHEH 102 can process and downmix the audio signal for presentation on the available speaker configuration. As described above, the WHEH 102 may also provide to the user 120 an indication that the audio signal contains more audio channels than the current configuration of the HES 100 can support, and recommend to the user 120 that additional speakers 110 be added to the HES 100 to fully support playback of such audio.
  • The HES 100 may also contain more than one display device 112 assigned to the same zone. Each display device 112 is registered with the WHEH 102 using one of the methods described above. The user may choose to designate one of the display devices 112 as the primary display device during or after registration of the display device 112, or alternately the WHEH 102 may automatically designate one of the display devices 112 as a primary display based on the characteristics of the display device, such a screen size or pixel density, with the other display devices being designated as secondary displays. For example, referring to FIG. 11, if a 51″ HDTV 180 and two 32″ HDTV's 185 are registered with the WHEH 102 and assigned to the same zone, the WHEH 102 may automatically designate the 51″ HDTV 180 as the primary display based on larger screen size, while the 32″ HDTV's 185 become the secondary displays. Secondary displays can be used to show supplemental program content that is complimentary to the main program content being displayed on the primary display. This supplemental program content may be encoded in the main program stream received from a content service provider, or may be transmitted as a separate program stream or side channel. Some examples of supplemental program content that may be shown on the secondary displays include viewer e-mails during a talk show, stock prices, financial, or other information about a company during a business report directed to that company, and scores, playing schedules other team information during a sportscast related to that team. The secondary display may also present alternate views of an event during news reporting. For example, the on-location reporter is on the primary screen, while alternate video related to that location is shown on the secondary displays. The secondary display may also be used to display extra program content included on a DVD. For example, bloopers or directors commentary corresponding to the scene of a movie presented on the primary display can be shown on the secondary display.
  • The secondary display may also be used to present advertisements concurrent with main program content shown on the primary display. The advertisements may be related to a product currently being featured in the main program content, such as for an automobile or a brand of food or drink.
  • The secondary display can present to the user 120 a website corresponding to an Internet address displayed on the primary display. The Internet address may be transmitted along with but separate from the program content and received by the WHEH 102, which detects the Internet address in the program stream and retrieves the content of the website using a network connection available within the HES 100. Alternately, the WHEH 102 may derive a web address shown on the primary display through OCR on frames formed from the program content of the main display, or the WHEH 102 may utilize other methods of character recognition understood by those skilled in the art. In one embodiment the user may browse the website presented on the secondary display using the remote control 118.
  • Referring to FIG. 12, the HES 100 may contain a number of identical or nearly identical display devices 112 arranged to provide the user 120 with a wide angle video experience. In one embodiment, the display devices 112 may be arranged to completely encircle the user 120 providing a surround video experience. A source device 122 provides a program containing multiple video channels which, when displayed on the multiple display devices 112, provide a panoramic view of the program content to the user 120. The WHEH 102 may direct the source device to transmit each of the video channels to the appropriate display device. Alternately, the WHEH 102 may receive the transmission from the source device, and transmit the appropriate video channel to the corresponding display device 112. In an alternate embodiment, multi-channel video programming may be displayed on a single display device 112 by compositing the video channels by the WHEH 102 for display on a single device. For example, if a programming channel contains data for three separate video channels that can be displayed to form a multi-display program, and the HES 100 contains only one display device, the WHEH 102 can composite the three video channels to be displayed on the one display device 112 in the HES 100.
  • Systems using a WHEH 102 can be supplied in a low-security configuration to ease installation by non-technical users. In an embodiment with higher security, the user 120 can enter a code on one device and confirm the code on another device or on the user interface. In another embodiment, various system components can ship with awareness of unique identifiers of other devices in the system.
  • The WHEH 102 may be used to wirelessly connect musical devices. Musical source devices and musical sink devices can be connected to a mixing board containing an advanced embodiment of the WHEH 102. Musical source devices include, but are not limited to, musical instruments, microphones, effects systems, and amplifiers. Musical sink devices include by are not limited to speakers, and audio monitors. The mixing board acts as both a sink unit and source unit, and is a convenient location for placement of the WHEH 102. The musical devices are all registered with the WHEH 102 similar to the produce procedure described above for the HES 100.
  • The WHEH 102 may detect the specific user or users of the HES 100 through RFID, image capture and analysis, or other personal identification technologies understood by those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the remote control 118 may be equipped with a fingerprint scanner used for identification of the user 120. The identification of the user 120 can be used to control access to various devices of the HES 100 based on a set of rules customizable for each user of the HES 100 by an authorized user (i.e., parent). For example, access to one or more devices can be denied based on time of day. Similarly, access to certain programming channels can also be denied based on a television program rating system, time of day, or selected channels. For example, users identified as children may not be allowed access to an Xbox® gaming console before 5 PM on weekdays or may not be allowed to view channels showing television programming rated TV-MA (under the US TV Parental Guidelines).
  • Characteristics of the HES 100 may be automatically adjusted based on identification of the user 120 by the WHEH 102. Characteristics of the HES 100 include physical characteristics, such as the height or orientation (e.g. rotation, tilt) of the display device or speakers, and system characteristics, such as volume or equalization of the audio, or channel on the STB 106. A profile may be stored in the WHEH 102 with information about the characteristics of the HES 100 corresponding the user 120. The profile may be set by the user 120 or the WHEH 102 may store the last configuration of the HES 100 for each user 120 and return the HES 100 to that configuration when the user 120 begins an entertainment session. In one embodiment, the profile also contains information about positioning or adjustments of viewing location 121, such as a couch or chair equipped with automatic adjustment mechanisms understood by those skilled in the art.
  • The embodiments of the present invention may be implemented with any combination of hardware and software. If implemented as a computer-implemented apparatus, the present invention is implemented using means for performing all of the steps and functions described above.
  • The embodiments of the present invention can be included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, for instance, computer useable media. The media has embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means for providing and facilitating the mechanisms of the present invention. The article of manufacture can be included as part of a computer system or sold separately.
  • While specific embodiments have been described in detail in the foregoing detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure and the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular examples and implementations disclosed herein, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims (25)

1. A method of adjusting characteristics in a home entertainment system, the method comprising:
(a) obtaining a registration by a plurality of devices with a wireless home entertainment hub;
(b) determining at the initiation of an entertainment session an identification of a user using an identification device associated with the home entertainment system;
(c) retrieving a user profile corresponding to the user identified in step (b); and
(d) causing adjustment of characteristics of at least one of the devices in response to information stored in the user profile.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
(e) causing a change of configuration of one or more objects associated with a viewing location in response to information stored in the user profile.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the change of configuration is step (e) includes automatic adjustment of furniture at the viewing location.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) includes transmitting one or more instructions to the at least one device representative of the information stored in the user profile.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristics include system characteristics of the devices registered with the wireless home entertainment hub.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristics include physical characteristics of the plurality of devices registered with the wireless home entertainment hub
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile includes preferences defined by the user.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile includes characteristics of the home entertainment system stored from a previous entertainment session of the user.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification device includes a radio frequency identification device.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification device includes a fingerprint scanner included in a remote control device, wherein fingerprint data corresponding to the user being stored in the wireless home entertainment hub.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification device includes a video camera for capturing a representation of one or more physical attributes of the user, the user being identified using an image capture of physical attributes of the user.
12. A method of adjusting characteristics in a home entertainment system, the method comprising:
(a) obtaining a registration by a device with a wireless home entertainment hub;
(b) receiving an instruction from the wireless home entertainment hub to adjust at least one characteristic of the device, wherein the instruction is based on obtaining at least one preference for a user from a user profile in response to an identification of the user by an identification device associated with the home entertainment system and; and
(c) adjusting the at least one characteristic in response to the instruction received from the wireless home entertainment hub.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one characteristic includes a system characteristic of the device.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the device is a wireless speaker and the system characteristic includes volume the wireless speaker.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the device is a set-top box and the system characteristic includes a channel selection on the set-top box.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein the device is a display device and the system characteristic includes brightness of the display.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one characteristic includes a physical characteristic of the device.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the device is a wireless speaker and the physical characteristic of the wireless speaker is height above the floor.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the device is a display device and the physical characteristic of the display devices is orientation of the screen with respect to a viewing location.
20. A method of adjusting characteristics in a home entertainment system, the method comprising:
(a) receiving by an object an instruction from a wireless home entertainment hub to change a configuration of the object associated with a viewing location, wherein the instruction is based on obtaining at least one preference for a user from a user profile corresponding to the user in response to an identification of the user by an identification device associated with the home entertainment system; and
(b) changing by the object the configuration in response to the instruction received from the wireless home entertainment hub.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the change of configuration includes automatic adjustment of furniture at the viewing location.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the furniture includes a seat for viewing the display device for the user.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the furniture includes a horizontal surface in proximity to the seat used for placement of items belonging to the user.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the furniture includes one or more mechanisms to facilitate the automatic adjustment.
25. The method of claim 21, wherein the change of configuration includes change in position of the furniture.
US11/930,457 2006-09-07 2007-10-31 Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system Active 2028-09-19 US8307388B2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/930,457 US8307388B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2007-10-31 Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system
US13/624,134 US8713591B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2012-09-21 Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system
US14/211,691 US9172996B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2014-03-14 Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/470,862 US8935733B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2006-09-07 Data presentation using a wireless home entertainment hub
US11/563,486 US9319741B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2006-11-27 Finding devices in an entertainment system
US11/930,457 US8307388B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2007-10-31 Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/563,486 Continuation US9319741B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2006-11-27 Finding devices in an entertainment system

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/624,134 Continuation US8713591B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2012-09-21 Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20080141316A1 true US20080141316A1 (en) 2008-06-12
US8307388B2 US8307388B2 (en) 2012-11-06

Family

ID=39499888

Family Applications (11)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/563,486 Active 2029-10-04 US9319741B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2006-11-27 Finding devices in an entertainment system
US11/930,470 Active 2028-10-07 US8421746B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2007-10-31 Device control using multi-dimensional motion sensing and a wireless home entertainment hub
US11/930,457 Active 2028-09-19 US8307388B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2007-10-31 Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system
US13/624,134 Active US8713591B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2012-09-21 Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system
US13/785,569 Active US9191703B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2013-03-05 Device control using motion sensing for wireless home entertainment devices
US14/211,691 Active US9172996B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2014-03-14 Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system
US15/099,083 Abandoned US20160309218A1 (en) 2006-09-07 2016-04-14 Voice operated remote control
US16/818,481 Active US11323771B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2020-03-13 Voice operated remote control
US17/160,000 Active 2026-10-19 US11729461B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2021-01-27 Audio or visual output (A/V) devices registering with a wireless hub system
US18/233,691 Pending US20230412876A1 (en) 2006-09-07 2023-08-14 Audio or visual output (a/v) devices registering with a wireless hub system
US18/367,322 Pending US20240007709A1 (en) 2006-09-07 2023-09-12 Audio or visual output (a/v) devices registering with a wireless hub system

Family Applications Before (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/563,486 Active 2029-10-04 US9319741B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2006-11-27 Finding devices in an entertainment system
US11/930,470 Active 2028-10-07 US8421746B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2007-10-31 Device control using multi-dimensional motion sensing and a wireless home entertainment hub

Family Applications After (8)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/624,134 Active US8713591B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2012-09-21 Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system
US13/785,569 Active US9191703B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2013-03-05 Device control using motion sensing for wireless home entertainment devices
US14/211,691 Active US9172996B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2014-03-14 Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system
US15/099,083 Abandoned US20160309218A1 (en) 2006-09-07 2016-04-14 Voice operated remote control
US16/818,481 Active US11323771B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2020-03-13 Voice operated remote control
US17/160,000 Active 2026-10-19 US11729461B2 (en) 2006-09-07 2021-01-27 Audio or visual output (A/V) devices registering with a wireless hub system
US18/233,691 Pending US20230412876A1 (en) 2006-09-07 2023-08-14 Audio or visual output (a/v) devices registering with a wireless hub system
US18/367,322 Pending US20240007709A1 (en) 2006-09-07 2023-09-12 Audio or visual output (a/v) devices registering with a wireless hub system

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (11) US9319741B2 (en)

Cited By (37)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090254953A1 (en) * 2008-04-02 2009-10-08 Chung-Hung Lin Wireless video and audio broadcasting device
US20100037272A1 (en) * 2008-08-05 2010-02-11 Chung-Hung Lin Video and audio sharing device
US20100169945A1 (en) * 2008-12-31 2010-07-01 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Virtual Control Device
GB2477151A (en) * 2010-01-26 2011-07-27 Michael Oluwaseun Bamidele Wireless transmission of audiovisual signals between a portable device and a television or video projector
US20110289545A1 (en) * 2009-01-19 2011-11-24 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Sink device and wireless transmission system
US20120089923A1 (en) * 2010-10-08 2012-04-12 Microsoft Corporation Dynamic companion device user interface
US8719581B2 (en) 2010-09-22 2014-05-06 Savant Systems, Llc Programmable multimedia controller with flexible user access and shared device configurations
US8799496B2 (en) 2009-07-21 2014-08-05 Eloy Technology, Llc System and method for video display transfer between video playback devices
US20150215723A1 (en) * 2014-01-24 2015-07-30 Sony Corporation Wireless speaker system with distributed low (bass) frequency
US9210356B2 (en) 2008-12-08 2015-12-08 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. System and method for entertainment system reconfiguration
JP2016504824A (en) * 2012-11-28 2016-02-12 クゥアルコム・インコーポレイテッドQualcomm Incorporated Cooperative sound system
US9369801B2 (en) 2014-01-24 2016-06-14 Sony Corporation Wireless speaker system with noise cancelation
US9426551B2 (en) 2014-01-24 2016-08-23 Sony Corporation Distributed wireless speaker system with light show
US9560449B2 (en) 2014-01-17 2017-01-31 Sony Corporation Distributed wireless speaker system
US9693169B1 (en) 2016-03-16 2017-06-27 Sony Corporation Ultrasonic speaker assembly with ultrasonic room mapping
US9693168B1 (en) 2016-02-08 2017-06-27 Sony Corporation Ultrasonic speaker assembly for audio spatial effect
US9699579B2 (en) 2014-03-06 2017-07-04 Sony Corporation Networked speaker system with follow me
US9794724B1 (en) 2016-07-20 2017-10-17 Sony Corporation Ultrasonic speaker assembly using variable carrier frequency to establish third dimension sound locating
US9826332B2 (en) 2016-02-09 2017-11-21 Sony Corporation Centralized wireless speaker system
US9826330B2 (en) 2016-03-14 2017-11-21 Sony Corporation Gimbal-mounted linear ultrasonic speaker assembly
US9854362B1 (en) 2016-10-20 2017-12-26 Sony Corporation Networked speaker system with LED-based wireless communication and object detection
US9866986B2 (en) 2014-01-24 2018-01-09 Sony Corporation Audio speaker system with virtual music performance
US9924286B1 (en) 2016-10-20 2018-03-20 Sony Corporation Networked speaker system with LED-based wireless communication and personal identifier
CN108431736A (en) * 2015-10-30 2018-08-21 奥斯坦多科技公司 The system and method for gesture interface and Projection Display on body
US10075791B2 (en) 2016-10-20 2018-09-11 Sony Corporation Networked speaker system with LED-based wireless communication and room mapping
US20190088110A1 (en) * 2011-10-28 2019-03-21 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US10345594B2 (en) 2015-12-18 2019-07-09 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for augmented near-eye wearable displays
US10353203B2 (en) 2016-04-05 2019-07-16 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Augmented/virtual reality near-eye displays with edge imaging lens comprising a plurality of display devices
US10453431B2 (en) 2016-04-28 2019-10-22 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Integrated near-far light field display systems
US10522106B2 (en) 2016-05-05 2019-12-31 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Methods and apparatus for active transparency modulation
US10578882B2 (en) 2015-12-28 2020-03-03 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Non-telecentric emissive micro-pixel array light modulators and methods of fabrication thereof
US10623859B1 (en) 2018-10-23 2020-04-14 Sony Corporation Networked speaker system with combined power over Ethernet and audio delivery
US10917381B2 (en) * 2017-12-01 2021-02-09 Yamaha Corporation Device control system, device, and computer-readable non-transitory storage medium
US10937308B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2021-03-02 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
WO2022026099A1 (en) * 2020-07-28 2022-02-03 Arris Enterprises Llc System and method for dynamic control of wireless speaker systems
US11295603B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2022-04-05 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US11609427B2 (en) 2015-10-16 2023-03-21 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Dual-mode augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) near-eye wearable displays

Families Citing this family (49)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150319486A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2015-11-05 Virginia Innovation Sciences, Inc. Method and apparatus for cross-layer optimization in multimedia communications with different user terminals
US8700730B2 (en) * 2005-08-18 2014-04-15 Microsoft Corporation Aggregated audio/video crossbar connections
US9513718B2 (en) * 2008-03-19 2016-12-06 Computime, Ltd. User action remote control
US8676243B2 (en) 2008-12-03 2014-03-18 Motorola Solutions, Inc. Method and apparatus for dual/multi-watch for group PTT services
US20110063522A1 (en) * 2009-09-14 2011-03-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz System and method for generating television screen pointing information using an external receiver
US8243207B2 (en) * 2009-09-29 2012-08-14 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for activity based configuration of an entertainment system
US9826266B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2017-11-21 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
US8456314B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2013-06-04 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
US8422858B2 (en) 2010-01-21 2013-04-16 Robert Paul Morris Methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating playing of media streams
US10397639B1 (en) 2010-01-29 2019-08-27 Sitting Man, Llc Hot key systems and methods
US8717289B2 (en) * 2010-06-22 2014-05-06 Hsni Llc System and method for integrating an electronic pointing device into digital image data
WO2012008940A1 (en) * 2010-07-12 2012-01-19 Thomson Licensing System, method and user interface for content search
US10162316B2 (en) * 2010-09-08 2018-12-25 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for providing an adaptive user interface on an electronic appliance
US8174931B2 (en) 2010-10-08 2012-05-08 HJ Laboratories, LLC Apparatus and method for providing indoor location, position, or tracking of a mobile computer using building information
US9111326B1 (en) 2010-12-21 2015-08-18 Rawles Llc Designation of zones of interest within an augmented reality environment
US9134593B1 (en) 2010-12-23 2015-09-15 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Generation and modulation of non-visible structured light for augmented reality projection system
US8845110B1 (en) 2010-12-23 2014-09-30 Rawles Llc Powered augmented reality projection accessory display device
US8845107B1 (en) 2010-12-23 2014-09-30 Rawles Llc Characterization of a scene with structured light
US8905551B1 (en) 2010-12-23 2014-12-09 Rawles Llc Unpowered augmented reality projection accessory display device
US9721386B1 (en) 2010-12-27 2017-08-01 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Integrated augmented reality environment
US9607315B1 (en) * 2010-12-30 2017-03-28 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Complementing operation of display devices in an augmented reality environment
US9508194B1 (en) 2010-12-30 2016-11-29 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Utilizing content output devices in an augmented reality environment
KR101690117B1 (en) * 2011-01-19 2016-12-27 휴렛-팩커드 디벨롭먼트 컴퍼니, 엘.피. Method and system for multimodal and gestural control
JP5128691B2 (en) * 2011-03-30 2013-01-23 シャープ株式会社 Information processing apparatus, electronic apparatus, information apparatus control method, electronic apparatus control method, processing execution system, control program, and recording medium
JP5690206B2 (en) * 2011-05-11 2015-03-25 オリンパス株式会社 Wireless terminal and wireless system
US9762662B2 (en) * 2011-05-12 2017-09-12 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Mass re-formation of groups in a peer-to-peer network
US9118782B1 (en) 2011-09-19 2015-08-25 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Optical interference mitigation
WO2013055901A1 (en) * 2011-10-11 2013-04-18 Bair Zach System, apparatus and method for configuring a wireless sound reinforcement system
US20130173765A1 (en) * 2011-12-29 2013-07-04 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for assigning roles between user devices
US20130321245A1 (en) * 2012-06-04 2013-12-05 Fluor Technologies Corporation Mobile device for monitoring and controlling facility systems
US9351043B2 (en) * 2012-09-18 2016-05-24 Centurylink Intellectual Property Llc Metadata system for real-time updates to electronic program guides
US10234941B2 (en) 2012-10-04 2019-03-19 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Wearable sensor for tracking articulated body-parts
US9344773B2 (en) * 2013-02-05 2016-05-17 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Providing recommendations based upon environmental sensing
US9610516B2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2017-04-04 Simex Inc. System, device and method for controlling effects in a theatre
US9355559B1 (en) * 2013-05-23 2016-05-31 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Media device control profile selection
US9336113B2 (en) * 2013-07-29 2016-05-10 Bose Corporation Method and device for selecting a networked media device
US9699500B2 (en) * 2013-12-13 2017-07-04 Qualcomm Incorporated Session management and control procedures for supporting multiple groups of sink devices in a peer-to-peer wireless display system
WO2015105788A1 (en) 2014-01-10 2015-07-16 Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation Calibration of virtual height speakers using programmable portable devices
KR102163850B1 (en) * 2014-01-29 2020-10-12 삼성전자 주식회사 Display apparatus and control method thereof
CN106133681A (en) * 2014-03-21 2016-11-16 诺基亚技术有限公司 Use standardized user interface descriptor to piece the method and apparatus that user interface controls smart object together
US9413733B2 (en) * 2014-06-12 2016-08-09 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Concurrent device control
US10289239B2 (en) 2015-07-09 2019-05-14 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Application programming interface for multi-touch input detection
US20170010695A1 (en) * 2015-07-09 2017-01-12 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Enhanced multi-touch input detection
KR20170027999A (en) * 2015-09-03 2017-03-13 삼성전자주식회사 User terminal apparatus, system and the controlling method thereof
GB2542631B (en) 2015-09-28 2017-09-13 tado GmbH Method and system for controlling a home appliance depending on a user position
US11587559B2 (en) * 2015-09-30 2023-02-21 Apple Inc. Intelligent device identification
US9628839B1 (en) * 2015-10-06 2017-04-18 Arris Enterprises, Inc. Gateway multi-view video stream processing for second-screen content overlay
CN107613338A (en) * 2017-09-25 2018-01-19 中兴通讯股份有限公司 Video transmission method, server, VR playback terminals and computer-readable recording medium
FR3076155A1 (en) * 2018-06-05 2019-06-28 Sagemcom Broadband Sas METHOD OF TRANSFERRING DATA FROM A TELEVISION CONTEXT BETWEEN TWO DECODERS AND EQUIPMENT ENABLING IT TO BE IMPLEMENTED

Citations (97)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4796019A (en) * 1987-02-19 1989-01-03 Rca Licensing Corporation Input device for a display system
US5400433A (en) * 1991-01-08 1995-03-21 Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation Decoder for variable-number of channel presentation of multidimensional sound fields
US5757360A (en) * 1995-05-03 1998-05-26 Mitsubishi Electric Information Technology Center America, Inc. Hand held computer control device
US5973683A (en) * 1997-11-24 1999-10-26 International Business Machines Corporation Dynamic regulation of television viewing content based on viewer profile and viewing history
US6032202A (en) * 1998-01-06 2000-02-29 Sony Corporation Of Japan Home audio/video network with two level device control
US6038545A (en) * 1997-03-17 2000-03-14 Frankel & Company Systems, methods and computer program products for generating digital multimedia store displays and menu boards
US6122386A (en) * 1999-04-26 2000-09-19 Music Industries Corp. Adjustable speaker system with reflector
US6131130A (en) * 1997-12-10 2000-10-10 Sony Corporation System for convergence of a personal computer with wireless audio/video devices wherein the audio/video devices are remotely controlled by a wireless peripheral
US6205430B1 (en) * 1996-10-24 2001-03-20 Stmicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Limited Audio decoder with an adaptive frequency domain downmixer
US6219839B1 (en) * 1998-05-12 2001-04-17 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. On-screen electronic resources guide
US20010009424A1 (en) * 2000-01-24 2001-07-26 Kiyonori Sekiguchi Apparatus and method for remotely operating plurality of information devices connected to a network provided with plug-and-play function
US6279029B1 (en) * 1993-10-12 2001-08-21 Intel Corporation Server/client architecture and method for multicasting on a computer network
US6353929B1 (en) * 1997-06-23 2002-03-05 One River Worldtrek, Inc. Cooperative system for measuring electronic media
US20020039479A1 (en) * 2000-10-04 2002-04-04 Mikio Watanabe Recording apparatus, communications apparatus, recording system, communications system, and methods therefor
US20020062417A1 (en) * 2000-11-04 2002-05-23 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Bridging system for interoperation of remote groups of devices
US20020065564A1 (en) * 2000-07-13 2002-05-30 Sheriff Amyn A. Digital content management system
US6430605B2 (en) * 1999-04-28 2002-08-06 World Theatre, Inc. System permitting retail stores to place advertisements on roadside electronic billboard displays that tie into point of purchase displays at stores
US20020107737A1 (en) * 2000-12-19 2002-08-08 Jun Kaneko Data providing system, data providing apparatus and method, data acquisition system and method , and program storage medium
US20020144259A1 (en) * 2001-03-29 2002-10-03 Philips Electronics North America Corp. Method and apparatus for controlling a media player based on user activity
US6481013B1 (en) * 1998-11-09 2002-11-12 Peracom Networks, Inc. Entertainment and computer coaxial network and method of distributing signals therethrough
US20020196275A1 (en) * 2001-06-22 2002-12-26 Willner Barry E. Method and apparatus for facilitating display of an advertisement with software
US20030018977A1 (en) * 2001-07-19 2003-01-23 Mckenna Thomas P. System and method for sharing television program information between entertainment devices
US20030066080A1 (en) * 2001-10-02 2003-04-03 John Kamieniecki Method and apparatus for automatic set-up of electronic devices
US20030063432A1 (en) * 2001-09-28 2003-04-03 International Business Machines Corporation All-in-one personal computer with tool-less quick-release features for various elements thereof including a reusable thin film transistor monitor
US20030074665A1 (en) * 2001-10-17 2003-04-17 Varley John A. Method and system for providing an environment for the delivery of interactive gaming services
US20030072273A1 (en) * 2001-09-07 2003-04-17 Aiello G. Roberto System and method for transmitting data in Ultra Wide Band frequencies in a de-centralized system
US20030075983A1 (en) * 2001-05-03 2003-04-24 Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. Control system and user interface for network of input devices
US20030081834A1 (en) * 2001-10-31 2003-05-01 Vasanth Philomin Intelligent TV room
US6665020B1 (en) * 1997-09-18 2003-12-16 Thomson Licensing S.A. Digital television apparatus for controlling a peripheral device via a digital bus
US20040015983A1 (en) * 2002-04-22 2004-01-22 Thomas Lemmons Method and apparatus for a data receiver and controller for the facilitation of an enhanced television viewing environment
US20040015575A1 (en) * 2002-07-22 2004-01-22 Tetsuro Motoyama System, computer program product and method for managing and controlling a local network of electronic devices and reliably and securely adding an electronic device to the network
US20040024867A1 (en) * 2002-06-28 2004-02-05 Openwave Systems Inc. Method and apparatus for determination of device capabilities on a network
US20040049797A1 (en) * 2002-02-25 2004-03-11 Oak Technology, Inc. Network interface to a video device
US6747632B2 (en) * 1997-03-06 2004-06-08 Harmonic Research, Inc. Wireless control device
US20040117833A1 (en) * 2002-12-11 2004-06-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz Media processing system supporting personal network activity indication exchange
US20040119894A1 (en) * 2002-12-24 2004-06-24 Rich Higgins System and method for programming a programmable remote control device
US20040176117A1 (en) * 2003-02-18 2004-09-09 Michael Strittmatter Display on wireless mobile device
US20040210926A1 (en) * 2003-01-08 2004-10-21 Avtrex, Inc. Controlling access to content
US20040264704A1 (en) * 2003-06-13 2004-12-30 Camille Huin Graphical user interface for determining speaker spatialization parameters
US20050005297A1 (en) * 2003-07-01 2005-01-06 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Wireless set-top box system and method for multi-device monitoring
US6845097B2 (en) * 2001-11-21 2005-01-18 Ixi Mobile (Israel) Ltd. Device, system, method and computer readable medium for pairing of devices in a short distance wireless network
US20050022244A1 (en) * 2003-05-14 2005-01-27 Erik Scheelke Device control apparatus and method
US20050034147A1 (en) * 2001-12-27 2005-02-10 Best Robert E. Remote presence recognition information delivery systems and methods
US20050034160A1 (en) * 2003-08-09 2005-02-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and system for controlling peripheral devices connected to a video device
US6868292B2 (en) * 2000-09-14 2005-03-15 The Directv Group, Inc. Device control via digitally stored program content
US6886095B1 (en) * 1999-05-21 2005-04-26 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for efficiently initializing secure communications among wireless devices
US20050108760A1 (en) * 2003-11-17 2005-05-19 Sony Corporation Universal network interface for home network
US20050120381A1 (en) * 2003-11-20 2005-06-02 Hirohisa Yamaguchi Home picture/video display system with ultra wide-band technology
US6907301B2 (en) * 2000-10-16 2005-06-14 Sony Corporation Method and system for selecting and controlling devices in a home network
US20050132408A1 (en) * 2003-05-30 2005-06-16 Andrew Dahley System for controlling a video display
US20050138663A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-06-23 Throckmorton John A. Distributed video recording and playback
US6918084B1 (en) * 2000-05-09 2005-07-12 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Spawning new repository spaces using information provided in advertisement schema messages
US20050166241A1 (en) * 2004-01-06 2005-07-28 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for wirelessly controlling devices peripheral to AV device
US20050165965A1 (en) * 2002-04-09 2005-07-28 Jean-Baptiste Henry Methods for communication in a multi-cluster network, device for connection to a network of clusters and bridge for connecting clusters
US20050165795A1 (en) * 2003-12-31 2005-07-28 Nokia Corporation Media file sharing, correlation of metadata related to shared media files and assembling shared media file collections
US20050179618A1 (en) * 2004-01-02 2005-08-18 Oh Sung I. Viewing angle adjustment system for a monitor
US20050216867A1 (en) * 2004-03-23 2005-09-29 Marvit David L Selective engagement of motion detection
US20050235329A1 (en) * 2004-04-19 2005-10-20 Broadcom Corporation Systems and methods for integrated control within a home entertainment system
US20050240978A1 (en) * 2002-06-20 2005-10-27 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Interconnection between components of a home entertainment system
US6967588B2 (en) * 2002-03-25 2005-11-22 Sony Corporation System and method for controlling a home entertainment system
US20050278462A1 (en) * 2004-06-14 2005-12-15 Gillespie Vandy L Wireless home entertainment interconnection and control system and method
US20060020960A1 (en) * 2004-03-24 2006-01-26 Sandeep Relan System, method, and apparatus for secure sharing of multimedia content across several electronic devices
US20060031889A1 (en) * 2002-12-11 2006-02-09 Bennett James D Video processing system with simultaneous multiple outputs each with unique formats
US20060050142A1 (en) * 2004-09-08 2006-03-09 Universal Electronics Inc. Configurable controlling device having an associated editing program
US20060064720A1 (en) * 2004-04-30 2006-03-23 Vulcan Inc. Controlling one or more media devices
US20060061149A1 (en) * 2004-07-30 2006-03-23 Tsai Ing-Jye J Self-leveling tablet mechanism for a chair
US20060074769A1 (en) * 2004-09-17 2006-04-06 Looney Harold F Personalized marketing architecture
US20060079245A1 (en) * 2002-05-06 2006-04-13 Meetme Ltd. Methods and systems for position co-ordination
US7038581B2 (en) * 2002-08-21 2006-05-02 Thomson Licensing S.A. Method for adjusting parameters for the presentation of multimedia objects
US20060105712A1 (en) * 2004-11-12 2006-05-18 Microsoft Corporation Wireless device support for electronic devices
US20060107281A1 (en) * 2004-11-12 2006-05-18 Dunton Randy R Remotely controlled electronic device responsive to biometric identification of user
US20060143572A1 (en) * 2004-09-08 2006-06-29 Universal Electronics Inc. Configurable controlling device and associated configuration distribution system and method
US20060142900A1 (en) * 2004-12-27 2006-06-29 Rothman Michael A System and method for enabling home power management
US20060152477A1 (en) * 2003-01-30 2006-07-13 Takuro Noda Communications device and method, recording medium, and program
US20060190974A1 (en) * 2005-02-22 2006-08-24 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Home network system and method for transmitting contents thereof
US7098869B2 (en) * 2001-06-29 2006-08-29 Novus Partners Llc Business method for billboard advertising
US20060221934A1 (en) * 2005-03-30 2006-10-05 Cisco Technology, Inc. (A California Corporation) Local provisioning of bandwidth and other network resources
US20060236344A1 (en) * 2005-04-06 2006-10-19 Brain Cameron W Media transaction system
US20060247983A1 (en) * 2005-04-29 2006-11-02 Maik Metz Method and apparatus for displaying processed multimedia and textual content on electronic signage or billboard displays through input from electronic communication networks
US20060248557A1 (en) * 2005-04-01 2006-11-02 Vulcan Inc. Interface for controlling device groups
US7136709B2 (en) * 2003-11-04 2006-11-14 Universal Electronics Inc. Home appliance control system and methods in a networked environment
US7139981B2 (en) * 2001-06-13 2006-11-21 Panoram Technologies, Inc. Media management system
US7146567B1 (en) * 1999-12-17 2006-12-05 Adflow Networks Inc. Method and system for dynamic display of marketing campaigns on display locations via a network
US20060294537A1 (en) * 2005-06-22 2006-12-28 Weinblatt Lee S Fingerprint-based technique for surveying an audience
US20070002784A1 (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-04 Edwards David A Systems, methods, and media for notifying users of events on a remote control device
US20070033607A1 (en) * 2005-08-08 2007-02-08 Bryan David A Presence and proximity responsive program display
US20070124785A1 (en) * 2005-09-02 2007-05-31 Tekelec Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing third party control of access to media content available via broadcast and multicast service (BCMCS)
US20070121954A1 (en) * 2005-11-21 2007-05-31 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. System, medium, and method of encoding/decoding multi-channel audio signals
US7231605B1 (en) * 2000-04-07 2007-06-12 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for mapping electronic devices coupled to a wireless network
US20070136768A1 (en) * 2005-12-08 2007-06-14 Intel Corporation System and method for controlling home network devices using multicast enabled remote controls
US20070136778A1 (en) * 2005-12-09 2007-06-14 Ari Birger Controller and control method for media retrieval, routing and playback
US20070250853A1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-10-25 Sandeep Jain Method and apparatus to configure broadcast programs using viewer's profile
US20080022369A1 (en) * 2006-07-18 2008-01-24 Jeff Roberts Methods and apparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a data collaboration session
US20090256855A1 (en) * 2006-05-12 2009-10-15 Tran Bao Q Systems and methods for graphics processing unit augmented high performance personal computing
US20100083306A1 (en) * 2001-08-08 2010-04-01 Accenture Global Services Gmbh Enhanced custom content television
US7731327B2 (en) * 2004-01-21 2010-06-08 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Desktop printer with cartridge incorporating printhead integrated circuit
US7827312B2 (en) * 2002-12-27 2010-11-02 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus for transcoding metadata

Family Cites Families (171)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4613848A (en) 1984-11-29 1986-09-23 Teletron Security, Inc. Multiple-zone intrusion detection system
GB2250117B (en) 1989-01-09 1992-11-18 Shogaku Ikueisha Kyoiku Kenkyusho Apparatus for grasping tv viewing condition in household
JPH05502130A (en) 1989-11-22 1993-04-15 ラッセル、デヴィッド、シー computer control system
JPH03203794A (en) 1989-12-29 1991-09-05 Pioneer Electron Corp Voice remote controller
US5130794A (en) 1990-03-29 1992-07-14 Ritchey Kurtis J Panoramic display system
WO1992021117A1 (en) 1991-05-23 1992-11-26 Atari Games Corporation Modular display simulator
US5339095A (en) 1991-12-05 1994-08-16 Tv Interactive Data Corporation Multi-media pointing device
US5598187A (en) 1993-05-13 1997-01-28 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Spatial motion pattern input system and input method
JPH07135646A (en) 1993-11-11 1995-05-23 Nec Eng Ltd Video conference system
US5825862A (en) 1995-11-30 1998-10-20 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Method of altering the destination telephone number of an incoming call
US5805682A (en) 1995-11-30 1998-09-08 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Method for delivering call related information to a video display
US7728845B2 (en) 1996-02-26 2010-06-01 Rah Color Technologies Llc Color calibration of color image rendering devices
US5923318A (en) 1996-04-12 1999-07-13 Zhai; Shumin Finger manipulatable 6 degree-of-freedom input device
US6008836A (en) 1996-06-03 1999-12-28 Webtv Networks, Inc. Method and apparatus for adjusting television display control using a browser
JPH10240433A (en) 1997-02-25 1998-09-11 Alps Electric Co Ltd Input device
EP0893779B1 (en) 1997-07-22 2003-06-18 Sony International (Europe) GmbH Videoviewing device providing an automatic internet access
US6297805B1 (en) 1997-08-29 2001-10-02 Xerox Corporation Multiple interacting computers interfaceable through a physical manipulatory grammar
US20040031045A1 (en) 1997-11-20 2004-02-12 Ivanyi Thomas P. System and method for measuring and storing information pertaining to television viewer or user behavior
US6097441A (en) 1997-12-31 2000-08-01 Eremote, Inc. System for dual-display interaction with integrated television and internet content
US6104334A (en) 1997-12-31 2000-08-15 Eremote, Inc. Portable internet-enabled controller and information browser for consumer devices
US6157319A (en) 1998-07-23 2000-12-05 Universal Electronics Inc. Universal remote control system with device activated setup
US6169725B1 (en) 1998-10-30 2001-01-02 Sony Corporation Of Japan Apparatus and method for restoration of internal connections in a home audio/video system
US20050210101A1 (en) 1999-03-04 2005-09-22 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for providing content, management, and interactivity for client devices
US6407779B1 (en) * 1999-03-29 2002-06-18 Zilog, Inc. Method and apparatus for an intuitive universal remote control system
US8943527B2 (en) 1999-03-30 2015-01-27 Tivo Inc. Audience measurement system
US6564056B1 (en) * 1999-08-03 2003-05-13 Avaya Technology Corp. Intelligent device controller
US6553345B1 (en) 1999-08-26 2003-04-22 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Universal remote control allowing natural language modality for television and multimedia searches and requests
US7444661B1 (en) 1999-09-30 2008-10-28 Gateway Inc. Electronic program guide utilizing multiple tuning sources
JP2001168873A (en) 1999-12-07 2001-06-22 Sony Corp Radio communication system, its method and radio communication equipment
US6397186B1 (en) 1999-12-22 2002-05-28 Ambush Interactive, Inc. Hands-free, voice-operated remote control transmitter
WO2001048977A2 (en) 1999-12-23 2001-07-05 Sony Electronics Inc. Information gateway system and method
US20020075295A1 (en) 2000-02-07 2002-06-20 Stentz Anthony Joseph Telepresence using panoramic imaging and directional sound
JP2001237860A (en) 2000-02-21 2001-08-31 Sony Corp Communication control method and communication controller
JP4449141B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2010-04-14 ソニー株式会社 Power control device, power control system
US6684060B1 (en) 2000-04-11 2004-01-27 Agere Systems Inc. Digital wireless premises audio system and method of operation thereof
US7158643B2 (en) * 2000-04-21 2007-01-02 Keyhold Engineering, Inc. Auto-calibrating surround system
JP4304401B2 (en) 2000-06-07 2009-07-29 ソニー株式会社 Multi-channel audio playback device
GB0016327D0 (en) 2000-07-03 2000-08-23 Seos Displays Ltd A method of tessellating a surface
US7496652B2 (en) * 2000-07-17 2009-02-24 Teleservices Solutions, Inc. Intelligent network providing network access services (INP-NAS)
JP2004525533A (en) 2000-08-30 2004-08-19 ティアリス, インコーポレイテッド Home network system and method
US6950645B1 (en) 2000-09-28 2005-09-27 Palmsource, Inc. Power-conserving intuitive device discovery technique in a bluetooth environment
US7493645B1 (en) 2000-10-27 2009-02-17 Audiovox Corporation Console with monitor and wireless receiver
US6629077B1 (en) 2000-11-22 2003-09-30 Universal Electronics Inc. Universal remote control adapted to receive voice input
DE10058786A1 (en) 2000-11-27 2002-06-13 Philips Corp Intellectual Pty Method for controlling a device having an acoustic output device
US6904451B1 (en) 2000-11-27 2005-06-07 Eastman Kodak Company Wireless networked presentation system
KR20020058116A (en) 2000-12-29 2002-07-12 조미화 Voice-controlled television set and operating method thereof
US20020135474A1 (en) 2001-03-21 2002-09-26 Sylliassen Douglas G. Method and device for sensor-based power management of a consumer electronic device
US20050005288A1 (en) 2001-04-13 2005-01-06 Digeo, Inc. System and method for personalized remote control of an interactive television system
US20030023411A1 (en) * 2001-04-23 2003-01-30 Don Witmer Methods for facilitating the design and installation of custom home networking systems
US7292901B2 (en) 2002-06-24 2007-11-06 Agere Systems Inc. Hybrid multi-channel/cue coding/decoding of audio signals
US20030056213A1 (en) 2001-05-16 2003-03-20 Mcfaddin James E. Method and system for delivering a composite information stream over a computer network
US7200855B2 (en) 2001-05-24 2007-04-03 Vixs Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus of multiplexing a plurality of channels in a multimedia system
US7301900B1 (en) 2001-05-24 2007-11-27 Vixs Systems Inc Method and apparatus for hub-based network access via a multimedia system
US7617515B1 (en) 2001-05-24 2009-11-10 Vixs Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for managing resources in a multimedia system
US7668317B2 (en) 2001-05-30 2010-02-23 Sony Corporation Audio post processing in DVD, DTV and other audio visual products
US7499077B2 (en) 2001-06-04 2009-03-03 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Summarization of football video content
US20020188959A1 (en) 2001-06-12 2002-12-12 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Parallel and synchronized display of augmented multimedia information
US20020194596A1 (en) 2001-06-18 2002-12-19 Srivastava Gopal K. Control of multiple AV-devices by a single master controller using infrared transmitted commands and bus transmitted commands
JP4859290B2 (en) 2001-06-21 2012-01-25 富士通セミコンダクター株式会社 Manufacturing method of semiconductor integrated circuit device
US6868268B2 (en) 2001-06-29 2005-03-15 Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation Audio calling name and number delivery
US7529485B2 (en) 2001-07-05 2009-05-05 Enablence Usa Fttx Networks, Inc. Method and system for supporting multiple services with a subscriber optical interface located outside a subscriber's premises
US7260616B1 (en) 2001-08-13 2007-08-21 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Communication hub with automatic device registration
US20030041333A1 (en) 2001-08-27 2003-02-27 Allen Paul G. System and method for automatically answering and recording video calls
US7096428B2 (en) 2001-09-28 2006-08-22 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Systems and methods for providing a spatially indexed panoramic video
JP3892262B2 (en) 2001-10-01 2007-03-14 Ykk株式会社 Space forming device for slide fastener chain
US6978424B2 (en) 2001-10-15 2005-12-20 General Instrument Corporation Versatile user interface device and associated system
US7271932B2 (en) 2001-11-16 2007-09-18 Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. Digital image processing apparatus, digital image processing method, digital image processing program product, and digital image printing system
US20030139933A1 (en) 2002-01-22 2003-07-24 Zebadiah Kimmel Use of local voice input and remote voice processing to control a local visual display
US20030145326A1 (en) 2002-01-31 2003-07-31 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Subscription to TV channels/shows based on recommendation generated by a TV recommender
US7209874B2 (en) * 2002-02-25 2007-04-24 Zoran Corporation Emulator-enabled network connectivity to a device
US20030185400A1 (en) 2002-03-29 2003-10-02 Hitachi, Ltd. Sound processing unit, sound processing system, audio output unit and display device
US7310808B2 (en) 2002-03-29 2007-12-18 Sony Corporation Method of and apparatus for supporting and enabling the selection and mixing of multiple streams of audio/video data from multiple sources within a receiving device allowing external control
US8255968B2 (en) 2002-04-15 2012-08-28 Universal Electronics, Inc. System and method for adaptively controlling the recording of program material using a program guide
EP1355485A1 (en) 2002-04-18 2003-10-22 Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh Method for generating a user interface on a HAVi device for the control of a Non-HAVi device
US9137035B2 (en) * 2002-05-09 2015-09-15 Netstreams Llc Legacy converter and controller for an audio video distribution system
AU2003241405B2 (en) 2002-05-09 2008-06-19 Netstreams, Llc Audio network distribution system
US6931265B2 (en) 2002-05-24 2005-08-16 Microsite Technologies, Llc Wireless mobile device
US7072726B2 (en) 2002-06-19 2006-07-04 Microsoft Corporation Converting M channels of digital audio data into N channels of digital audio data
US20040012810A1 (en) 2002-07-19 2004-01-22 Haas William Robert System and method for presenting images captured at an event during the event
US20050114445A1 (en) 2002-07-25 2005-05-26 Kenneth Tracton Dynamic content customization in a clientserver environment
US7460827B2 (en) 2002-07-26 2008-12-02 Arbitron, Inc. Radio frequency proximity detection and identification system and method
US6697467B1 (en) 2002-08-01 2004-02-24 Voice Media Lab, Inc. Telephone controlled entertainment
US8272020B2 (en) 2002-08-17 2012-09-18 Disney Enterprises, Inc. System for the delivery and dynamic presentation of large media assets over bandwidth constrained networks
JP2004080382A (en) 2002-08-19 2004-03-11 Sony Corp Apparatus and method for controlling electronic apparatus
US7260714B2 (en) 2002-08-20 2007-08-21 Sony Corporation System and method for authenticating wireless component
JP3880561B2 (en) 2002-09-05 2007-02-14 株式会社ソニー・コンピュータエンタテインメント Display system
US20040125781A1 (en) * 2002-09-25 2004-07-01 Telemac Corporation Method and system for managing local control of WLAN access
US7234115B1 (en) 2002-09-26 2007-06-19 Home Director, Inc. Home entertainment system and method
US7657907B2 (en) 2002-09-30 2010-02-02 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Automatic user profiling
US7006006B2 (en) 2002-12-05 2006-02-28 Witkow Edward H System and method for controlling home entertainment units with radio frequency and infrared signals
US8155342B2 (en) 2002-12-11 2012-04-10 Ira Marlowe Multimedia device integration system
US20040117440A1 (en) 2002-12-17 2004-06-17 Singer Mitch Fredrick Media network environment
KR100514191B1 (en) 2003-01-23 2005-09-13 삼성전자주식회사 remote controller and set-top-box for it
US20040203387A1 (en) 2003-03-31 2004-10-14 Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.P. System and method for controlling appliances with a wireless data enabled remote control
JP3793171B2 (en) 2003-04-25 2006-07-05 株式会社東芝 Receiving device, receiving system, and receiving method
US7233316B2 (en) 2003-05-01 2007-06-19 Thomson Licensing Multimedia user interface
JP4052189B2 (en) 2003-06-19 2008-02-27 ソニー株式会社 Acoustic device and acoustic setting method
JP4352797B2 (en) 2003-07-07 2009-10-28 ソニー株式会社 Receiving apparatus and receiving method
KR100520931B1 (en) 2003-07-22 2005-10-17 삼성전자주식회사 Communication system and method in wireless infrastructure network environment
US20050165849A1 (en) 2003-08-05 2005-07-28 G-4, Inc. Extended intelligent video streaming system
US7194259B2 (en) 2003-09-05 2007-03-20 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Remote control device having wireless phone interface
US7042438B2 (en) 2003-09-06 2006-05-09 Mcrae Michael William Hand manipulated data apparatus for computers and video games
JP4003727B2 (en) 2003-09-22 2007-11-07 ブラザー工業株式会社 Portable printer with communication means
US7447317B2 (en) 2003-10-02 2008-11-04 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V Compatible multi-channel coding/decoding by weighting the downmix channel
JP4155147B2 (en) 2003-10-07 2008-09-24 株式会社日立製作所 Incoming call notification system
US9131272B2 (en) 2003-11-04 2015-09-08 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for saving and recalling state data for media and home appliances
US7155305B2 (en) 2003-11-04 2006-12-26 Universal Electronics Inc. System and methods for home appliance identification and control in a networked environment
US7356091B2 (en) 2003-12-09 2008-04-08 M/A-Com, Inc. Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for signal propagation using unwrapped phase
US7843485B1 (en) 2003-12-23 2010-11-30 At&T Intellectual Property Ii, L.P. Integration of home entertainment devices with a software client for telephony
US7746373B2 (en) 2003-12-23 2010-06-29 Telecom Italia S.P.A. Device for viewing images, such as for videoconference facilities, related system, network and method of use
JP2005250442A (en) 2004-01-30 2005-09-15 Seiko Epson Corp Display device, method of controlling display device, control program, and recording medium
US7912036B2 (en) 2004-02-12 2011-03-22 Verizon Business Global Llc Provision of telephony caller ID service via common instant communications clients
US20050185047A1 (en) 2004-02-19 2005-08-25 Hii Desmond Toh O. Method and apparatus for providing a combined image
US20050188406A1 (en) 2004-02-23 2005-08-25 Gielow Christopher C. System and method for managing applications and media content of a wireless communication device
JP4683850B2 (en) 2004-03-22 2011-05-18 ヤマハ株式会社 Mixing equipment
US7173604B2 (en) 2004-03-23 2007-02-06 Fujitsu Limited Gesture identification of controlled devices
US7301529B2 (en) 2004-03-23 2007-11-27 Fujitsu Limited Context dependent gesture response
US20050239445A1 (en) 2004-04-16 2005-10-27 Jeyhan Karaoguz Method and system for providing registration, authentication and access via broadband access gateway
JP3817249B2 (en) * 2004-04-28 2006-09-06 株式会社エヌ・ティ・ティ・ドコモ Mobile device and communication control method
WO2005109884A2 (en) 2004-04-30 2005-11-17 Vulcan Inc. Time-based graphical user interface for multimedia content
US20060041655A1 (en) 2004-05-06 2006-02-23 Marty Holloway Bi-directional remote control for remotely controllable apparatus
US20060034469A1 (en) 2004-07-09 2006-02-16 Yamaha Corporation Sound apparatus and teleconference system
JPWO2006009004A1 (en) 2004-07-15 2008-05-01 パイオニア株式会社 Sound reproduction system
US8730322B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2014-05-20 Eyesee360, Inc. Telepresence using panoramic imaging and directional sound and motion
US8054854B2 (en) 2004-08-26 2011-11-08 Sony Corporation Network remote control
US7138979B2 (en) 2004-08-27 2006-11-21 Motorola, Inc. Device orientation based input signal generation
US20060074749A1 (en) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-06 Reachlocal, Inc. Method and apparatus for allocating a campaign budget among publishers for a marketing campaign
US7768420B2 (en) 2004-10-29 2010-08-03 Intel Corporation Operation and control of wireless appliance networks
US7254516B2 (en) 2004-12-17 2007-08-07 Nike, Inc. Multi-sensor monitoring of athletic performance
US7336801B2 (en) 2004-12-17 2008-02-26 Eastman Kodak Company System and method for obtaining image-based products from a digital motion picture source
US20060165092A1 (en) 2004-12-23 2006-07-27 Agovo Communications, Inc. Out-of-band signaling system, method and computer program product
US7656853B2 (en) 2004-12-27 2010-02-02 Microsoft Corporation Reducing power consumption of a wireless device
US7672465B2 (en) * 2005-01-14 2010-03-02 Sony Corporation System and method for synchronization using GPS in home network
US20060177073A1 (en) * 2005-02-10 2006-08-10 Isaac Emad S Self-orienting audio system
JP4355013B2 (en) * 2005-02-18 2009-10-28 パナソニック株式会社 Stream supply device
US7808554B2 (en) 2005-03-18 2010-10-05 Displaymate Technologies Corporation Automatic and interactive configuration and control of a video system
US20070038787A1 (en) 2005-03-30 2007-02-15 Logitech Europe S.A. Interface device and method for networking legacy consumer electronics devices
US20060236408A1 (en) * 2005-04-14 2006-10-19 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for device dependent access control for device independent web content
US20060256976A1 (en) 2005-05-11 2006-11-16 House William N Spatial array monitoring system
US7784071B2 (en) 2005-06-01 2010-08-24 General Instrument Corporation Method and apparatus for linking a plurality of user devices to a service location
JP4792842B2 (en) 2005-07-06 2011-10-12 ソニー株式会社 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program
JP5113052B2 (en) 2005-07-29 2013-01-09 エルジー エレクトロニクス インコーポレイティド Method for generating encoded audio signal and method for processing audio signal
KR100678954B1 (en) * 2005-08-08 2007-02-06 삼성전자주식회사 Method for using paused time information of media contents in upnp environment
US7894535B2 (en) 2005-08-23 2011-02-22 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Systems and methods for distributing and/or playing multicasted video signals in multiple display formats
US8577048B2 (en) 2005-09-02 2013-11-05 Harman International Industries, Incorporated Self-calibrating loudspeaker system
JP4701944B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2011-06-15 ヤマハ株式会社 Sound field control equipment
KR100774292B1 (en) 2005-10-25 2007-11-08 삼성전자주식회사 Method for automatic connecting bluetooth in mobile communication terminal
WO2007058130A1 (en) 2005-11-15 2007-05-24 Yamaha Corporation Teleconference device and sound emission/collection device
US20070256105A1 (en) 2005-12-08 2007-11-01 Tabe Joseph A Entertainment device configured for interactive detection and security vigilant monitoring in communication with a control server
US9153125B2 (en) * 2005-12-20 2015-10-06 Savant Systems, Llc Programmable multimedia controller with programmable services
US20070143801A1 (en) 2005-12-20 2007-06-21 Madonna Robert P System and method for a programmable multimedia controller
US20070140488A1 (en) * 2005-12-21 2007-06-21 Roundbox, Inc. Restriction of broadcast session key use by secure module decryption policy
US20070156521A1 (en) 2005-12-29 2007-07-05 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for commerce in media program related merchandise
US20080212941A1 (en) 2005-12-30 2008-09-04 Lillethun David J Recording media content on different devices
US7627890B2 (en) 2006-02-21 2009-12-01 At&T Intellectual Property, I,L.P. Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing content synchronization or control among one or more devices
WO2007103871A2 (en) 2006-03-06 2007-09-13 George Geeyaw She System and method for establishing and maintaining synchronization of isochronous audio and video information streams in wireless multimedia applications
US20070250900A1 (en) 2006-04-07 2007-10-25 Andrew Marcuvitz Media gateway and server
US7721207B2 (en) 2006-05-31 2010-05-18 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Camera based control
US7711324B2 (en) 2006-06-17 2010-05-04 Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited Method and system for connecting remote devices for communication with each other
US20080004954A1 (en) 2006-06-30 2008-01-03 Microsoft Corporation Methods and architecture for performing client-side directed marketing with caching and local analytics for enhanced privacy and minimal disruption
US7721313B2 (en) 2006-06-30 2010-05-18 Microsoft Corporation Multi-DVR node communication
US20080039086A1 (en) * 2006-07-14 2008-02-14 Gallagher Michael D Generic Access to the Iu Interface
US8112794B2 (en) 2006-07-17 2012-02-07 Research In Motion Limited Management of multiple connections to a security token access device
US8011013B2 (en) * 2006-07-19 2011-08-30 Quickvault, Inc. Method for securing and controlling USB ports
US20080072292A1 (en) 2006-09-01 2008-03-20 Narjala Ranjit S Secure device introduction with capabilities assessment
US20080092201A1 (en) 2006-09-27 2008-04-17 Anjana Agarwal Providing a supplemental content service for communication networks
WO2008060111A1 (en) 2006-11-15 2008-05-22 Lg Electronics Inc. A method and an apparatus for decoding an audio signal
US20080120369A1 (en) 2006-11-16 2008-05-22 Gustavsson Bengt Stefan Media center for picture sharing
US20080120667A1 (en) 2006-11-17 2008-05-22 Texas Instruments Incorporated Hybrid mpeg/ip digital cable gateway device and architecture associated therewith
US8031272B2 (en) 2007-07-19 2011-10-04 International Business Machines Corporation System and method of adjusting viewing angle for display
US20100107184A1 (en) 2008-10-23 2010-04-29 Peter Rae Shintani TV with eye detection

Patent Citations (99)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4796019A (en) * 1987-02-19 1989-01-03 Rca Licensing Corporation Input device for a display system
US5400433A (en) * 1991-01-08 1995-03-21 Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation Decoder for variable-number of channel presentation of multidimensional sound fields
US6279029B1 (en) * 1993-10-12 2001-08-21 Intel Corporation Server/client architecture and method for multicasting on a computer network
US5757360A (en) * 1995-05-03 1998-05-26 Mitsubishi Electric Information Technology Center America, Inc. Hand held computer control device
US6205430B1 (en) * 1996-10-24 2001-03-20 Stmicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Limited Audio decoder with an adaptive frequency domain downmixer
US6747632B2 (en) * 1997-03-06 2004-06-08 Harmonic Research, Inc. Wireless control device
US6038545A (en) * 1997-03-17 2000-03-14 Frankel & Company Systems, methods and computer program products for generating digital multimedia store displays and menu boards
US20020056089A1 (en) * 1997-06-23 2002-05-09 Houston John S. Cooperative system for measuring electronic media
US6353929B1 (en) * 1997-06-23 2002-03-05 One River Worldtrek, Inc. Cooperative system for measuring electronic media
US6665020B1 (en) * 1997-09-18 2003-12-16 Thomson Licensing S.A. Digital television apparatus for controlling a peripheral device via a digital bus
US5973683A (en) * 1997-11-24 1999-10-26 International Business Machines Corporation Dynamic regulation of television viewing content based on viewer profile and viewing history
US6131130A (en) * 1997-12-10 2000-10-10 Sony Corporation System for convergence of a personal computer with wireless audio/video devices wherein the audio/video devices are remotely controlled by a wireless peripheral
US6032202A (en) * 1998-01-06 2000-02-29 Sony Corporation Of Japan Home audio/video network with two level device control
US6219839B1 (en) * 1998-05-12 2001-04-17 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. On-screen electronic resources guide
US6481013B1 (en) * 1998-11-09 2002-11-12 Peracom Networks, Inc. Entertainment and computer coaxial network and method of distributing signals therethrough
US6122386A (en) * 1999-04-26 2000-09-19 Music Industries Corp. Adjustable speaker system with reflector
US20020156858A1 (en) * 1999-04-28 2002-10-24 Hunter Charles Eric System permitting retail stores to place advertisements on roadside electronic billboard displays that tie into point of purchase displays at the stores
US6430605B2 (en) * 1999-04-28 2002-08-06 World Theatre, Inc. System permitting retail stores to place advertisements on roadside electronic billboard displays that tie into point of purchase displays at stores
US6886095B1 (en) * 1999-05-21 2005-04-26 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for efficiently initializing secure communications among wireless devices
US7146567B1 (en) * 1999-12-17 2006-12-05 Adflow Networks Inc. Method and system for dynamic display of marketing campaigns on display locations via a network
US20010009424A1 (en) * 2000-01-24 2001-07-26 Kiyonori Sekiguchi Apparatus and method for remotely operating plurality of information devices connected to a network provided with plug-and-play function
US7231605B1 (en) * 2000-04-07 2007-06-12 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for mapping electronic devices coupled to a wireless network
US6918084B1 (en) * 2000-05-09 2005-07-12 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Spawning new repository spaces using information provided in advertisement schema messages
US20020065564A1 (en) * 2000-07-13 2002-05-30 Sheriff Amyn A. Digital content management system
US6868292B2 (en) * 2000-09-14 2005-03-15 The Directv Group, Inc. Device control via digitally stored program content
US20020039479A1 (en) * 2000-10-04 2002-04-04 Mikio Watanabe Recording apparatus, communications apparatus, recording system, communications system, and methods therefor
US6907301B2 (en) * 2000-10-16 2005-06-14 Sony Corporation Method and system for selecting and controlling devices in a home network
US20020062417A1 (en) * 2000-11-04 2002-05-23 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Bridging system for interoperation of remote groups of devices
US20020107737A1 (en) * 2000-12-19 2002-08-08 Jun Kaneko Data providing system, data providing apparatus and method, data acquisition system and method , and program storage medium
US20020144259A1 (en) * 2001-03-29 2002-10-03 Philips Electronics North America Corp. Method and apparatus for controlling a media player based on user activity
US20030075983A1 (en) * 2001-05-03 2003-04-24 Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. Control system and user interface for network of input devices
US7139981B2 (en) * 2001-06-13 2006-11-21 Panoram Technologies, Inc. Media management system
US20020196275A1 (en) * 2001-06-22 2002-12-26 Willner Barry E. Method and apparatus for facilitating display of an advertisement with software
US7098869B2 (en) * 2001-06-29 2006-08-29 Novus Partners Llc Business method for billboard advertising
US20030018977A1 (en) * 2001-07-19 2003-01-23 Mckenna Thomas P. System and method for sharing television program information between entertainment devices
US20100083306A1 (en) * 2001-08-08 2010-04-01 Accenture Global Services Gmbh Enhanced custom content television
US20030072273A1 (en) * 2001-09-07 2003-04-17 Aiello G. Roberto System and method for transmitting data in Ultra Wide Band frequencies in a de-centralized system
US20030063432A1 (en) * 2001-09-28 2003-04-03 International Business Machines Corporation All-in-one personal computer with tool-less quick-release features for various elements thereof including a reusable thin film transistor monitor
US20030066080A1 (en) * 2001-10-02 2003-04-03 John Kamieniecki Method and apparatus for automatic set-up of electronic devices
US20030074665A1 (en) * 2001-10-17 2003-04-17 Varley John A. Method and system for providing an environment for the delivery of interactive gaming services
US20030081834A1 (en) * 2001-10-31 2003-05-01 Vasanth Philomin Intelligent TV room
US6845097B2 (en) * 2001-11-21 2005-01-18 Ixi Mobile (Israel) Ltd. Device, system, method and computer readable medium for pairing of devices in a short distance wireless network
US20050034147A1 (en) * 2001-12-27 2005-02-10 Best Robert E. Remote presence recognition information delivery systems and methods
US20040049797A1 (en) * 2002-02-25 2004-03-11 Oak Technology, Inc. Network interface to a video device
US6967588B2 (en) * 2002-03-25 2005-11-22 Sony Corporation System and method for controlling a home entertainment system
US20050165965A1 (en) * 2002-04-09 2005-07-28 Jean-Baptiste Henry Methods for communication in a multi-cluster network, device for connection to a network of clusters and bridge for connecting clusters
US20040015983A1 (en) * 2002-04-22 2004-01-22 Thomas Lemmons Method and apparatus for a data receiver and controller for the facilitation of an enhanced television viewing environment
US20060079245A1 (en) * 2002-05-06 2006-04-13 Meetme Ltd. Methods and systems for position co-ordination
US20050240978A1 (en) * 2002-06-20 2005-10-27 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Interconnection between components of a home entertainment system
US20040024867A1 (en) * 2002-06-28 2004-02-05 Openwave Systems Inc. Method and apparatus for determination of device capabilities on a network
US20040015575A1 (en) * 2002-07-22 2004-01-22 Tetsuro Motoyama System, computer program product and method for managing and controlling a local network of electronic devices and reliably and securely adding an electronic device to the network
US7038581B2 (en) * 2002-08-21 2006-05-02 Thomson Licensing S.A. Method for adjusting parameters for the presentation of multimedia objects
US20060031889A1 (en) * 2002-12-11 2006-02-09 Bennett James D Video processing system with simultaneous multiple outputs each with unique formats
US20040117833A1 (en) * 2002-12-11 2004-06-17 Jeyhan Karaoguz Media processing system supporting personal network activity indication exchange
US20040119894A1 (en) * 2002-12-24 2004-06-24 Rich Higgins System and method for programming a programmable remote control device
US7827312B2 (en) * 2002-12-27 2010-11-02 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus for transcoding metadata
US20040210926A1 (en) * 2003-01-08 2004-10-21 Avtrex, Inc. Controlling access to content
US20060152477A1 (en) * 2003-01-30 2006-07-13 Takuro Noda Communications device and method, recording medium, and program
US20040176117A1 (en) * 2003-02-18 2004-09-09 Michael Strittmatter Display on wireless mobile device
US20050022244A1 (en) * 2003-05-14 2005-01-27 Erik Scheelke Device control apparatus and method
US20050132408A1 (en) * 2003-05-30 2005-06-16 Andrew Dahley System for controlling a video display
US20040264704A1 (en) * 2003-06-13 2004-12-30 Camille Huin Graphical user interface for determining speaker spatialization parameters
US20050005297A1 (en) * 2003-07-01 2005-01-06 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Wireless set-top box system and method for multi-device monitoring
US20050034160A1 (en) * 2003-08-09 2005-02-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and system for controlling peripheral devices connected to a video device
US7136709B2 (en) * 2003-11-04 2006-11-14 Universal Electronics Inc. Home appliance control system and methods in a networked environment
US20050108760A1 (en) * 2003-11-17 2005-05-19 Sony Corporation Universal network interface for home network
US20050120381A1 (en) * 2003-11-20 2005-06-02 Hirohisa Yamaguchi Home picture/video display system with ultra wide-band technology
US20050138663A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-06-23 Throckmorton John A. Distributed video recording and playback
US20050165795A1 (en) * 2003-12-31 2005-07-28 Nokia Corporation Media file sharing, correlation of metadata related to shared media files and assembling shared media file collections
US20050179618A1 (en) * 2004-01-02 2005-08-18 Oh Sung I. Viewing angle adjustment system for a monitor
US20050166241A1 (en) * 2004-01-06 2005-07-28 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for wirelessly controlling devices peripheral to AV device
US7731327B2 (en) * 2004-01-21 2010-06-08 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Desktop printer with cartridge incorporating printhead integrated circuit
US20050216867A1 (en) * 2004-03-23 2005-09-29 Marvit David L Selective engagement of motion detection
US20060020960A1 (en) * 2004-03-24 2006-01-26 Sandeep Relan System, method, and apparatus for secure sharing of multimedia content across several electronic devices
US20050235329A1 (en) * 2004-04-19 2005-10-20 Broadcom Corporation Systems and methods for integrated control within a home entertainment system
US20060064720A1 (en) * 2004-04-30 2006-03-23 Vulcan Inc. Controlling one or more media devices
US20050278462A1 (en) * 2004-06-14 2005-12-15 Gillespie Vandy L Wireless home entertainment interconnection and control system and method
US20060061149A1 (en) * 2004-07-30 2006-03-23 Tsai Ing-Jye J Self-leveling tablet mechanism for a chair
US20060143572A1 (en) * 2004-09-08 2006-06-29 Universal Electronics Inc. Configurable controlling device and associated configuration distribution system and method
US20060050142A1 (en) * 2004-09-08 2006-03-09 Universal Electronics Inc. Configurable controlling device having an associated editing program
US20060074769A1 (en) * 2004-09-17 2006-04-06 Looney Harold F Personalized marketing architecture
US20060107281A1 (en) * 2004-11-12 2006-05-18 Dunton Randy R Remotely controlled electronic device responsive to biometric identification of user
US20060105712A1 (en) * 2004-11-12 2006-05-18 Microsoft Corporation Wireless device support for electronic devices
US20060142900A1 (en) * 2004-12-27 2006-06-29 Rothman Michael A System and method for enabling home power management
US20060190974A1 (en) * 2005-02-22 2006-08-24 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Home network system and method for transmitting contents thereof
US20060221934A1 (en) * 2005-03-30 2006-10-05 Cisco Technology, Inc. (A California Corporation) Local provisioning of bandwidth and other network resources
US20060248557A1 (en) * 2005-04-01 2006-11-02 Vulcan Inc. Interface for controlling device groups
US20060236344A1 (en) * 2005-04-06 2006-10-19 Brain Cameron W Media transaction system
US20060247983A1 (en) * 2005-04-29 2006-11-02 Maik Metz Method and apparatus for displaying processed multimedia and textual content on electronic signage or billboard displays through input from electronic communication networks
US20060294537A1 (en) * 2005-06-22 2006-12-28 Weinblatt Lee S Fingerprint-based technique for surveying an audience
US20070002784A1 (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-04 Edwards David A Systems, methods, and media for notifying users of events on a remote control device
US20070033607A1 (en) * 2005-08-08 2007-02-08 Bryan David A Presence and proximity responsive program display
US20070124785A1 (en) * 2005-09-02 2007-05-31 Tekelec Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing third party control of access to media content available via broadcast and multicast service (BCMCS)
US20070121954A1 (en) * 2005-11-21 2007-05-31 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. System, medium, and method of encoding/decoding multi-channel audio signals
US20070136768A1 (en) * 2005-12-08 2007-06-14 Intel Corporation System and method for controlling home network devices using multicast enabled remote controls
US20070136778A1 (en) * 2005-12-09 2007-06-14 Ari Birger Controller and control method for media retrieval, routing and playback
US20070250853A1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-10-25 Sandeep Jain Method and apparatus to configure broadcast programs using viewer's profile
US20090256855A1 (en) * 2006-05-12 2009-10-15 Tran Bao Q Systems and methods for graphics processing unit augmented high performance personal computing
US20080022369A1 (en) * 2006-07-18 2008-01-24 Jeff Roberts Methods and apparatuses for selecting privileges for use during a data collaboration session

Cited By (70)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090254953A1 (en) * 2008-04-02 2009-10-08 Chung-Hung Lin Wireless video and audio broadcasting device
US20100037272A1 (en) * 2008-08-05 2010-02-11 Chung-Hung Lin Video and audio sharing device
US9210356B2 (en) 2008-12-08 2015-12-08 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. System and method for entertainment system reconfiguration
US9800837B2 (en) * 2008-12-31 2017-10-24 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Virtual control device
US20100169945A1 (en) * 2008-12-31 2010-07-01 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Virtual Control Device
CN103648018A (en) * 2009-01-19 2014-03-19 夏普株式会社 Synchronization device and radio transmission system
US8982760B2 (en) * 2009-01-19 2015-03-17 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Sink device and wireless transmission system
US20110289545A1 (en) * 2009-01-19 2011-11-24 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Sink device and wireless transmission system
US8799496B2 (en) 2009-07-21 2014-08-05 Eloy Technology, Llc System and method for video display transfer between video playback devices
GB2477151A (en) * 2010-01-26 2011-07-27 Michael Oluwaseun Bamidele Wireless transmission of audiovisual signals between a portable device and a television or video projector
US8719581B2 (en) 2010-09-22 2014-05-06 Savant Systems, Llc Programmable multimedia controller with flexible user access and shared device configurations
US9250932B2 (en) 2010-09-22 2016-02-02 Savant Systems, Llc Programmable multimedia controller with flexible user access and shared device configurations
US20120089923A1 (en) * 2010-10-08 2012-04-12 Microsoft Corporation Dynamic companion device user interface
US11145189B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2021-10-12 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US20190088110A1 (en) * 2011-10-28 2019-03-21 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US10937305B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2021-03-02 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US10922958B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2021-02-16 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US10943469B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2021-03-09 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US11315410B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2022-04-26 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US11769397B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2023-09-26 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US10636288B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2020-04-28 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US11651677B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2023-05-16 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US10937308B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2021-03-02 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US10937306B2 (en) * 2011-10-28 2021-03-02 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US10970997B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2021-04-06 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US11887469B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2024-01-30 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US10614704B2 (en) * 2011-10-28 2020-04-07 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US11308796B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2022-04-19 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US11295605B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2022-04-05 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US11295606B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2022-04-05 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US10593196B2 (en) * 2011-10-28 2020-03-17 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US20190096236A1 (en) * 2011-10-28 2019-03-28 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US11295603B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2022-04-05 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US11170636B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2021-11-09 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US10991239B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2021-04-27 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US11113954B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2021-09-07 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
US11322016B2 (en) 2011-10-28 2022-05-03 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for optimized appliance control
JP2016504824A (en) * 2012-11-28 2016-02-12 クゥアルコム・インコーポレイテッドQualcomm Incorporated Cooperative sound system
US9560449B2 (en) 2014-01-17 2017-01-31 Sony Corporation Distributed wireless speaker system
US20150215723A1 (en) * 2014-01-24 2015-07-30 Sony Corporation Wireless speaker system with distributed low (bass) frequency
US9369801B2 (en) 2014-01-24 2016-06-14 Sony Corporation Wireless speaker system with noise cancelation
US9866986B2 (en) 2014-01-24 2018-01-09 Sony Corporation Audio speaker system with virtual music performance
US9426551B2 (en) 2014-01-24 2016-08-23 Sony Corporation Distributed wireless speaker system with light show
US9402145B2 (en) * 2014-01-24 2016-07-26 Sony Corporation Wireless speaker system with distributed low (bass) frequency
US9699579B2 (en) 2014-03-06 2017-07-04 Sony Corporation Networked speaker system with follow me
US11609427B2 (en) 2015-10-16 2023-03-21 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Dual-mode augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) near-eye wearable displays
US11106273B2 (en) * 2015-10-30 2021-08-31 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. System and methods for on-body gestural interfaces and projection displays
CN108431736A (en) * 2015-10-30 2018-08-21 奥斯坦多科技公司 The system and method for gesture interface and Projection Display on body
US10585290B2 (en) 2015-12-18 2020-03-10 Ostendo Technologies, Inc Systems and methods for augmented near-eye wearable displays
US10345594B2 (en) 2015-12-18 2019-07-09 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for augmented near-eye wearable displays
US10578882B2 (en) 2015-12-28 2020-03-03 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Non-telecentric emissive micro-pixel array light modulators and methods of fabrication thereof
US11598954B2 (en) 2015-12-28 2023-03-07 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Non-telecentric emissive micro-pixel array light modulators and methods for making the same
US9693168B1 (en) 2016-02-08 2017-06-27 Sony Corporation Ultrasonic speaker assembly for audio spatial effect
US9826332B2 (en) 2016-02-09 2017-11-21 Sony Corporation Centralized wireless speaker system
US9826330B2 (en) 2016-03-14 2017-11-21 Sony Corporation Gimbal-mounted linear ultrasonic speaker assembly
US9693169B1 (en) 2016-03-16 2017-06-27 Sony Corporation Ultrasonic speaker assembly with ultrasonic room mapping
US10983350B2 (en) 2016-04-05 2021-04-20 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Augmented/virtual reality near-eye displays with edge imaging lens comprising a plurality of display devices
US11048089B2 (en) 2016-04-05 2021-06-29 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Augmented/virtual reality near-eye displays with edge imaging lens comprising a plurality of display devices
US10353203B2 (en) 2016-04-05 2019-07-16 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Augmented/virtual reality near-eye displays with edge imaging lens comprising a plurality of display devices
US11145276B2 (en) 2016-04-28 2021-10-12 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Integrated near-far light field display systems
US10453431B2 (en) 2016-04-28 2019-10-22 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Integrated near-far light field display systems
US10522106B2 (en) 2016-05-05 2019-12-31 Ostendo Technologies, Inc. Methods and apparatus for active transparency modulation
US9794724B1 (en) 2016-07-20 2017-10-17 Sony Corporation Ultrasonic speaker assembly using variable carrier frequency to establish third dimension sound locating
US9854362B1 (en) 2016-10-20 2017-12-26 Sony Corporation Networked speaker system with LED-based wireless communication and object detection
US9924286B1 (en) 2016-10-20 2018-03-20 Sony Corporation Networked speaker system with LED-based wireless communication and personal identifier
US10075791B2 (en) 2016-10-20 2018-09-11 Sony Corporation Networked speaker system with LED-based wireless communication and room mapping
US10917381B2 (en) * 2017-12-01 2021-02-09 Yamaha Corporation Device control system, device, and computer-readable non-transitory storage medium
US10623859B1 (en) 2018-10-23 2020-04-14 Sony Corporation Networked speaker system with combined power over Ethernet and audio delivery
US11528575B2 (en) 2020-07-28 2022-12-13 Arris Enterprises Llc System and method for dynamic control of wireless speaker systems
WO2022026099A1 (en) * 2020-07-28 2022-02-03 Arris Enterprises Llc System and method for dynamic control of wireless speaker systems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20140282643A1 (en) 2014-09-18
US20080066123A1 (en) 2008-03-13
US20130076481A1 (en) 2013-03-28
US8713591B2 (en) 2014-04-29
US9172996B2 (en) 2015-10-27
US20240007709A1 (en) 2024-01-04
US9319741B2 (en) 2016-04-19
US20230412876A1 (en) 2023-12-21
US8421746B2 (en) 2013-04-16
US9191703B2 (en) 2015-11-17
US20200221170A1 (en) 2020-07-09
US11729461B2 (en) 2023-08-15
US11323771B2 (en) 2022-05-03
US20080141329A1 (en) 2008-06-12
US8307388B2 (en) 2012-11-06
US20210152881A1 (en) 2021-05-20
US20130187767A1 (en) 2013-07-25
US20160309218A1 (en) 2016-10-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11570393B2 (en) Voice operated control device
US11729461B2 (en) Audio or visual output (A/V) devices registering with a wireless hub system
US10674115B2 (en) Communicating content and call information over a local area network
US20080061578A1 (en) Data presentation in multiple zones using a wireless home entertainment hub
US8966545B2 (en) Connecting a legacy device into a home entertainment system using a wireless home entertainment hub

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: TECHNOLOGY, PATENTS & LICENSING, INC., PENNSYLVANI

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:IGOE, PATRICK T.;KRAVETS, LEONID;REEL/FRAME:020502/0675

Effective date: 20070629

AS Assignment

Owner name: PORTO VINCI LTD. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, DELAWA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TECHNOLOGY, PATENTS & LICENSING, INC.;REEL/FRAME:020904/0363

Effective date: 20080414

Owner name: PORTO VINCI LTD. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY,DELAWAR

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TECHNOLOGY, PATENTS & LICENSING, INC.;REEL/FRAME:020904/0363

Effective date: 20080414

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

CC Certificate of correction
FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

CC Certificate of correction
AS Assignment

Owner name: RATEZE REMOTE MGMT LLC, DELAWARE

Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:PORTO VINCI LTD. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:037110/0250

Effective date: 20150826

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1552); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 8